JEFFERSON TWP — 4-0 vs. 4-0. Physicality vs. physicality.

Knoch vs. Elizabeth Forward.

“I feel like I’m looking in a mirror when I watch Knoch on film,” first-year Warriors head coach John DeMarco said. “I try to build a team on toughness, a bunch of kids getting after it on the field.

“Knoch is playing exactly the same way.”

EF has yet to play a close game, having defeated Ringgold 37-0, West Mifflin 24-7, East Allegheny 45-15 and Shady Side Academy 42-14. The Knights opened the season with three narrow victories before blanking Southmoreland, 27-0, last week.

“We are going to be challenged this week,” DeMarco said. “I’m impressed with Knoch. That quarterback (Codi Mullen) is the best we’ve seen so far. He makes great decisions with the ball and we have to find a way to neutralize him.”

Mullen has thrown for 858 yards and eight touchdowns, run for 261 yards and five TDs.

“Codi is our engine, our heartbeat, whatever cliche’ you want to use,” Knoch coach Tim Burchett said. “He makes us go. He knows how to distribute the football.”

Kaden Spencer has 20 catches for 444 yards and seven touchdowns while Jackson Bauman has 18 receptions for 244 for the Knights. Tony Nicolazzo has rushed for 134 yards and has scored seven touchdowns.

Defensively, Parker Anderson, Wyatt Fioster and Bennett Shaw lead the Knights up front while Ethan Alwine and Brady Pflugh have been making plays at linebacker. Alwine had 4.5 quarterback sacks last week.

“Our defense is gonna be tested,” Burchett said. “Elizabeth Forward is the best team we’ve played all year. They’re physical and they run a balanced offense.”

Ryan Messina has thrown for 408 yards and four touchdowns for the Warriors. Charlie Nigut has rushed for 329 yards, Jace Brown for 299, while averaging 7.5 and 5.5 yards per carry, respectively.

“We call them Thunder and Lightning,” DeMarco said of his two backs. Jace Brown is a big boy who plays middle linebacker on defense. Charlie Nigut is an explosive little guy who can make big plays.“

Elizabeth Forward has a pair of Division 1-caliber two-way linemen. “Charlie Meehleib (6-foot-4, 220 pounds) has committed to Bucknell and plays defensive end. Two-way tackle Chris Climes (6-2, 270) has been offered by Youngstown State.

While Knoch is coming off a one-win season, EF went 9-2 a year ago, losing only to eventual state champion Belle Vernon in the regular season. The Warriors lost to Central Valley in the WPIAL 3A title game in 2021.

DeMarco is an EF graduate who served as an assistant coach at Southmoreland and Clairton prior to taking over the Warriors this season.

“I’ve lived in this community for 50 years. When the job came open, I couldn’t pass it up,” DeMarco said. “This program graduate 13 seniors from last year, but there is a lot of talent here.”

Burchett knows where Friday’s game will be won or lost.

“Along the line of scrimmage,” he said. “Whoever takes control of this game up front will have it go their way.”