MORGANTOWN — On a night when University High and Parkersburg South combined for 65 points, 72 passes and 613 total yards, Marcos Kniska somehow made sure the story was about the Hawks’ defense.

“In a weird sort of way, our defense won the game for us,” UHS head coach Eric Snyder said Friday, following the Hawks’ 38-27 victory over the Patriots inside Mylan Pharmaceuticals Stadium. “It kept giving us short fields and came away with turnovers. Our defense gave us a lot of opportunities tonight and they’ve been playing with a big chip on their shoulders.”

The UHS defense came away with three interceptions, three quarterback sacks, knocked away a would-be touchdown in the end zone on a fourth-down play and scored the game’s first points with a sack in the end zone for a safety.

“It’s been a good feeling that for the first two weeks of the season, we’ve been able to count on our defense,” Snyder said.

More to that point, the Hawks (2-0) can count on Kniska, a senior middle linebacker who put his fingerprints all over this game.

Midway through the first quarter, Kniska burst through the line and wrapped up Parkersburg South quarterback Kinzyn Lutchmansingh in the end zone to give UHS a 2-0 lead.

“The way they lined up on the play, I saw it before on film,” Kniska explained. “I knew what that play was going to be and how they were going to roll out. I just made the right read and got in there.”

In the third quarter, with UHS leading 17-14, Kniska somehow leaped into the air and pulled down a bullet of a pass that was intended to go about 10 or 15 yards past him. He returned it 75 yards for a touchdown.

Kniska’s secret on that play? He said he was hiding, well, sort of.

“I got the feeling throughout the game how they would bring a (receiver) back across the field as a crosser,” he said. “I just sort of stepped up into a spot and kind of crouched down. When the pass came, I just kind of had to go up and get it.”

Kniska’s eight points were a big difference, as University High also turned the ball over five times on two interceptions and three fumbles. One of those fumbles – on a dropped snap on a punt – was returned 39 yards by Parkersburg South’s Logan Graham for a TD that got the Patriots (0-2) to within 24-21 with 8:02 remaining in the game.

University High sealed the game with its offense, namely running back Brody Kehler, who scored on two long touchdown runs in the fourth quarter – one went for 45 yards, the other 35 – but the Hawks got to that point through their defense.

“I would say it was a total team effort,” Kniska said. “The whole team got involved in some way. Points were scored, but our defense did step up in good moments. We definitely still have things to improve on, but it was a good overall effort.”

Kehler finished with 116 yards on 17 attempts and the two scores a week after finishing with five total touchdowns in the opener. Kehler also recorded one of the Hawks’ three interceptions.

Kniska’s interception gave him three over the first two games, not bad for a middle linebacker. Maybe it’s time for a position change to shutdown cornerback.

“I think they would kick me out of here pretty quick if I decided to do that,” Snyder said. “The thing with Marcos, I saw a picture of him in our program from a couple of years ago. He doesn’t look like that kid anymore. He’s bigger and faster. He’s put in so much work over the last couple of years.

“That’s why he’s one of our captains. He’s a leader, but he leads by example. He would work out seven days a week if we let him. He’s got great preparation. He’s really such a plus for our program.”

Kniska put the finishing touches on his game by combining with teammate Jack Byrer for a quarterback sack on Parkersburg South’s final possession.

As for offense, UHS quarterback Harrison Helbig went 12 for 23 for 162 yards and connected with Hayden George for a 53-yard catch-and-run for a TD in the third quarter that gave the Hawks a 17-14 lead after the Patriots had just taken a 14-9 lead on Lutchmansingh’s 7-yard scoring run with 4:29 remaining in the third. Helbig also added a 10-yard TD run early in the first quarter to give UHS a 9-0 lead.

George finished with six catches for 93 yards and the score.

Lutchmansingh likely needed a bag of ice for his shoulder after the game. He attempted 47 passes, completed 16 of them for 203 yards. He threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to Graham with 8:41 left in the second quarter to make it a 9-7 game at the half. He also added a 4-yard scoring pass to Taj Joyce for the final score of the game with 4:41 remaining.

Joyce finished with five receptions for 68 yards and Channing Barrett added six catches for 74 yards. Collin Hayes had 73 yards rushing on 17 carries for the Patriots.