JEFFERSON TWP — Elizabeth Forward’s offense was fair and balanced as it gained a quick 21-0 advantage over Knoch Friday night on what was the final game to be played on grass at Knoch Stadium.

“I though that would mean a lot, but I didn’t like our effort coming out,” Knoch coach Tim Burchett said. “I thought we were afraid to play.”

The Warriors offense racked up 272 yards on the ground and 198 yards through the air to help move Elizabeth Forward to 5-0 on the season with a 42-0 victory over Knoch (0-5) in non-conference play.

Starting running John DiNapoli rushed for 75 yards on seven carries for the Warriors and scored the game’s opening touchdown.

However, in the fourth quarter it was Diego Magwood who stole the show for the Warriors, acquiring 109 yards on 13 carries and a touchdown off the bench.

“Diego emerged,” Elizabeth Forward coach Mike Collodi said. “He is a really good alternative to the other guys. He showed tonight he keeps getting better and better every single week. Anytime you talk about a running back doing their thing, it really is the offensive line making it happen.”

After DiNapoli opened up the scoring, Elizabeth Forward quarterback Zion White connected with Zachary Boyd and Keilly Rush to help give the Warriors that 21-0 first quarter lead.

White then scored the next two touchdowns himself in the second quarter from 16 and one yards out.

“We played a pretty good game, but there were some mistakes,” Collodi said. “Knoch is a pretty good team. We were worried about their offense, they can move the ball up and down the field, but overall I was happy with how we played tonight.”

The Knoch offense was not allowed to get anything going by the Warriors defense as they held the Knights to just seven total rushing yards and 57 passing yards the entire evening.

“Obviously anytime you pitch a shutout the defense played very well,” Collodi said. “All facets of the game we played pretty well, minus a couple kickoff returns.”

Last week Knoch quarterback Codi Mullen threw for 341 yards and two touchdowns against Southmoreland, both to Jack Bauman, who collected 163 yards on six receptions.

“Last week we lead the WPIAL in passing and this week couldn’t complete a pass,” Burchett said. “We are playing a lot of young kids, so it’s up and down. Every week is a process.”

Friday’s loss was the Knight’s ninth loss in a row dating back to last season.

Coach Burchett will look to get his first win with the program next week when the Knights take on Deer Lakes.

“(Deer Lakes) runs a similar system,” Burchett said. “They are athletic and well-coached. All of our goals and hopes are in front of us. If we do what we need to do we will be in the playoffs. That’s where our mind set is right now.”

Elizabeth Forward 21 14 0 7 – 42

Knoch 0 0 0 0 – 0

First Quarter

EF – John DiNapoli 54 run (Logan Beedle kick), 7:12

EF – Zachary Boyd 70 pass from Zion White (Beedle kick), 1:50

EF – Keilly Rush 46 pass from White (Beedle kick), :59

Second Quarter

EF – White 16 run (Beedle kick), 8:24

EF – White 1 run (Beedle kick), :37

Fourth Quarter

EF – Diego Magwood 8 run (Jade Rollison-Manes kick), 6:38

Individual Statistics

Rushing: Elizabeth Forward, John DiNapoli 7-75, Zion White 7-55, Keilly Rush 1-2, Jordan Wilmore 6-26, Charles Nigut 5-3, Diego Magwood 13-109, Kyle Croyle 4-2. Knoch, Codi Mullen 9-1, Sam Skurka 6-5, Ethan Alwine 2-(-4), Zack Roenigk 2-0, Aiden Jones 2-5.

Passing: Elizabeth Forward, Zion White 7-12-198-0. Knoch, Codi Mullen 3-17-57-1.

Receiving: Elizabeth Forward, Zachary Boyd 1-70, Charles Nigut 5-82, Keilly Rush 1-46. Knoch, Jake Murphy 2-48, Jack Bauman 1-9.