JEFFERSON TWP — Knoch will have plenty on its table when the Knights host New Castle in a Northwest Eight Conference football game Friday night.

- It is Knoch's final home regular season game.

- It is Knoch's Senior Night.

- Knoch is trying to avoid a three-game losing skid.

- The Knights will clinch a WPIAL Class 4A playoff berth with a win.

“There's a lot going on, for sure,” Knoch coach Brandon Mowry said. “This game means everything to us.”

It means quite a bit to the Red Hurricane as well.

While Knoch (5-2, 4-2) is playing its final section game of the campaign, New Castle (4-3, 2-2) has league games with Highlands and Ambridge remaining.

“This is going to be a classic atmosphere,” New Castle coach Joe Cowart said. “A mid-October game, crisp fall air, two desperate, quality teams going at it with playoff implications on both sides.

“This should be a lot of fun.”

While South Fayette is unbeaten in Northwest Eight play, four teams — Knoch, Blackhawk, New Castle and Montour — have two league losses each.

“Once we lost to Montour, it created a real logjam in the standings,” Mowry said. “We know we can take care of our own business.”

To do that, the Knights will have to take care of New Castle's Demetris McKnight.

The Canes' quarterback last season, McKnight is playing running back this year. He has rushed for 694 yards, caught 11 passes for 199 more and has 12 touchdowns.

“He's a dynamic kid, a great runner with great vision,” Mowry said. “We have to contain that kid.”

McKnight plays free safety on defense.

“We need Demetris to excel on both sides of the ball Friday if we're going to win this game,” Cowart said.

The New Castle coach added a second part to the equation that would add up to victory for the 'Canes.

“Stop No. 5 (Matt Goodlin),” he said. “Key on (No. 5). When he's in motion, wherever he's going, we have to go there.

“He's a spectacular football player and Knoch is good up front, loaded across the board. This isn't going to be easy.”

Goodlin has rushed for 938 yards and 11 touchdowns for the Knights. Quarterback Kam Grassi has run for 259 yards. He's completed 13 of 32 passes for 157 yards, most of those aerials coming in the past two weeks.

Mowry believes there are plays to be made in Knoch's passing game.

“We've got the weapons there,” he said. “Scott (Fraser) and Schrec (Jared Schrecengost) are outstanding athletes who can catch the football.

“Defenses crash in on our running game. They key on Matty and our receivers can slip in behind them.”

Rocco Robinson and Jaylon Cox are New Castle's defensive ends and have been effective run defenders.

“They are quick, strong kids who make it hard for teams to get the edge on us,” Cowart said. “They keep everything inside.”

Sophomore Michael Wells has thrown for 724 yards and six touchdowns for the 'Canes. He's rushed for 197 and four TDs. Donny Cade has 13 catches for 205 yards, Jason Williams 11 catches for 212 yards.

“They spread the ball around very well,” Mowry said. “Our defense has been strong all year and we'll need a big effort on that side of the ball again.”