JEFFERSON TWP — Franklin Regional football coach Greg Botta said his team and Knoch are so alike that “we even wear the same colors.”

The two Greater Allegheny Conference rivals will get together to open the season at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Knights' stadium.

“We run the same offense and defense, even the same plays,” Botta said. “It's as if we're lining up against ourselves.”

Knoch coach Mike King agreed.

“There isn't a whole lot of difference, that's for sure,” King said. “They're a physical team and we like to think we are, too. There will definitely be some hitting going on.

“It's going to come down to execution and mistakes. They've had their way with us the past couple of years. They've been able to make the key plays against us and we haven't against them.”

Knoch bounced Franklin Regional, 9-7, in the WPIAL Class AAA semifinals in 2011. But the Panthers have secured wins of 23-13 and 28-0 over the Knights since joining the conference in 2012.

One big difference between the teams this year is experience. The Panthers return only four starters on each side of the ball and not much at the skilled positions.

Knoch has 19 of 22 starters back, including most of its skilled players.

“Ideally, you'd like to be graduating a few seniors each year while bringing back experienced juniors,” Botta said. “We had a ton of seniors last year and now there's a void.

“We're challenging underclassmen and inexperienced guys to make their mark on this program, starting now.”

The Panthers have been to the WPIAL playoffs 10 straight years. They do bring back senior fullback-linebacker Brett Zanotto, who made a school-record 157 tackles last year. He scored 11 touchdowns offensively.

Zanotto is committed to the University of Maryland.

“Brett had a lot of experienced seniors around him helping him attain those numbers,” Botta said. “Now he's in more of a leadership role.”

Botta wasn't planning on naming a starting quarterback until after Wednesday's practice. Senior Andrew Brncic and junior Santino Birty are competing for the job. If Brncic wins the job, Birty will likely see time at slotback.

“Neither kid has distinguished himself above the other,” Botta said.

Knoch is dealing with a pair of injuries this week. Tight end-linebacker Brennan McTighe is out with a groin injury and receiver-defensive back Troy Hixon suffered a broken collarbone in the Knights' last scrimmage.

Sophomore Mac Christy will replace McTighe on offense while Mark Beacom will fill his shoes defensively. Ben Lowery will take Hixon's spot in the secondary.

“We do have some depth so we can deal with some issues like this,” King said.

Dan Farinelli threw for 1,175 yards last season and Cody Milsom ran for 854. Both are back to anchor the Knoch offense.

“They can do a lot of things. This is a good early test for us,” Botta said.

Franklin Regional is a good test for Knoch as well.

“Hey, why not?,” King said. “Why not jump right into it, have a big conference match-up right off the bat. This is great football. I have so much respect for the coaches in this league and for the kids who play the game.

“There's no magic to these games. Just line up and get after it. In our league, that's the way it is every week.”