INDIANA — Knoch senior defensive back Ryan Grossman and the Knights' secondary did everything they could to be physical against Indiana's tall receiving core.

The Little Indians' balanced offensive attack, featuring 6-foot-5 senior wide receiver Riley Stapleton and 6-4 junior Dylan Stapleton, was a lot to handle. Indiana quarterback Jacob Zilinskas threw for a school-record 289 yards to help the Little Indians win a Greater Allegheny Conference matchup 28-25 Friday night at Andy Kuzneski Field.

“We were trying to stay behind them. When they went up to catch the ball, we wanted rip at their hands and the ball to get it to the ground,” said Grossman, who is 5-9.

Knoch (3-5, 3-4) is still alive for a playoff spot.

King expects his kids will rebound for next Friday's matchup with Yough.

“It's what they want to do and the legacy they want to leave at Knoch. Whether they want to go out and fighting and they will,” King said. “We're going to do everything we can to win the game. Maybe, we can get into the playoffs.”

Zilinskas made his biggest completion late in the third quarter. Indiana (5-3, 4-3) had the ball facing a fourth-and-one on the Knoch 31 protecting a 21-19 lead. Zilinskas threw a jump ball to Riley Stapleton, who finished with a game-high 188 yards receiving. Grossman also went up for the ball, getting in a wrestling match with Stapleton for the ball as they fell to the ground.

The ref ruled it was simultaneous possession, but Grossman emerged from the pile with the ball.

“That was huge. It took all the momentum away from us and they ended up scoring,” said Grossman, who intercepted a pass in the second quarter. “We both went up for it, he came over top of me and were wrestling for it in the pile. I came out with the ball and they gave it to Indiana.”

Zilinskas, who threw four touchdown passes, found Dylan Stapleton for a 10-yard touchdown pass on the next play, putting the Little Indians ahead 28-19 with 41.7 seconds left in the third quarter.

Dylan Stapleton finished with 91 yards receiving. Indiana had 444 yards of total offense, including 155 on the ground. King said the Little Indians' offensive attack was too balanced to just focus on the pass.

“We had to take our chances, they have a pretty good running game,” King said. “We weren't going to stay in double coverage all night. We had double coverage in and safety over the top. They have good receivers and they challenge you.”

The Knights cut the lead to 28-25 with 5:05 remaining when Cody Milsom, who rushed for a game-high 139 yards, scored on a 3-yard run out of the wildcat. Knoch then forced Indiana to punt and got the ball back on its own 13-yard line.

The Knights moved the ball to the 34 before turning it over on downs.

Indiana coach Mark Zilinskas was happy with how his defense made a stand.

“They did it when they needed to,” Zilinskas said. “That's the growing process. We only have four guys returning that played on Friday nights last year.”

The first half was back-and-forth. Riley Stapleton caught a 65-yard touchdown on game's third play to put Indiana up 7-0.

Knoch's defense then stole the momentum.

Ty Gornick sacked Jacob Zilinskas in the endzone for a safety. On the ensuing possession, Addis Crouch scored on a 10-yard run to put the Knights ahead 9-7.

Milsom and Dylan Stapleton scored in the second quarter and Knoch leading 16-15 at halftime.

Mark Zilinskas was pleased with how his team protected the quarterback after Gornick's sack.

“Our line is under-sized and inexperienced there. I think our guys took another step tonight,” Zilinskas said. “To be able to give our guys time to throw the ball, they did an outstanding job. That was the key, to protect.”

Indiana took the lead for good, 21-16, when Riley Stapleton caught a 26-yard touchdown pass with 7:49 left in the third.

Knoch kicker Logan Tupper made a field goal to cut the lead to 21-19 before Stapleton made his leaping catch.

Grossman is anxious for net week's game.

“We're disappointed, but we have a good group of guys and have good leadership,” Grossman said. “We just need to win, period.”