Dominant Defense, Timely Passing Carry Karns City to KSAC Large School Title With Win Over Clarion

Chris Rossetti

Chris Rossetti

Published October 15, 2016 4:20 am
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KARNS CITY, Pa. — In a matchup of the Keystone Shortway Athletic Conferences two top teams, Karns City got an early jump and never looked back ousting Clarion 31-7 Friday night at Karns City.

(Photo of Karns City’s Eric Dodd Photo by Mike Schnelle. Check out more of Schnelle’s work here)

With the victory, the Gremlins sealed up at least a share of their fifth straight KSAC Large school Division title. They can claim the title outright next week with a win over rival Moniteau in West Sunbury.

“We had to get after them physically and run the ball, I thought we did a good job,” said Karns City head coach Ed Conto. “Our fullbacks, we haven’t had to use them all year, it’s been one play and they’re gone. I thought they had a great game and did the things they need to do.”

Taking the opening kickoff Karns City wasted little time putting the ball in the end zone as Chandler Turner took a third-and-1 handoff 37 yards for a touchdown capping the 5-play, 65-yard drive.

Closing out the first quarter Jacob King and Jimmy Thompson connected on a 39-yard touchdown pass putting the Gremlins up 14-0 after one. While their defense limited Clarion to 12 yards and zero first downs in the quarter.

“Normally, here at Karns City, we pride ourselves on good defense,” said Conto.

Kicking off the second quarter, Clarion was able to mount its only scoring drive of the game going 83 yards in five plays as Colton Rapp pulled the Bobcats to within seven scoring on an 18-yard off-tackle run. Ryley McMaster made two big plays on the drive with a 27-yard run and a 31-yard reception from Spencer Miller.

“We tried some different things,” said Clarion head coach Larry Wiser. “I give them credit for what they did. We need to get back and be ready to go on Monday, we know Union/A-C Valley is going to be ready to play us.”

Kaiden Powers booted a 40-yard field to finished off a 6-play, 45-yard drive with 1:28 remaining in the first half as Karns City took a 10-point, 17-7, lead into intermission.

Forcing a Clarion punt to begin the second half. Karns City proceeded to put the game away as the Gremlins marched 52 yards in eight plays with King’s second touchdown toss of the night, this one to Cullen Williams on a screen pass putting the Gremlins in front 24-7.

“It was an old-fashioned game tonight, run the ball, work it and move the chains to set up the play-action passes,” said Conto. “Our kids responded and played well. I was worried about that because kids can be greedy, but I saw our kids out there congratulating different guys for making plays. That was good on their end.”

Following a Rapp fumble at his own 38-yard line, Karns City put the nail in the coffin as Aaron Hutchison scored from 8 yards out as the Gremlins went up 31-7.

“We fell down here, but now we need to get back up and recover, to go into the playoffs strong,” said Wiser. “There’s some good things we’re going to pick up from tonight that will help us down the road.”

Story by Shane Lux

KARNS CITY 31, CLARION 7

Score by Quarters

Clarion 0 7 0 0 — 7

Karns City 14 3 14 0 — 31

Scoring Summary

First Quarter

KC — Chandler Turner 37 yd run (Kaiden Powers pat), 9:31

KC — Jimmy Thompson 39 yd pass from Jacob King (Powers pat), :00

Second Quarter

C — Colton Rapp 18 yd run (Mills Archer pat), 9:43

KC — Powers 40 yd field goal, 1:28

Third Quarter

KC — Cullen Williams 14 yd pass from King (Powers pat), 5:35

KC — Aaron Hutchison 8 yd run (Powers pat), 3:31

Team Stats
C KC
First Downs 8 15
Rushes-yards 36-141 45-227
Passing Yards 72 79
Comp-Att-Int 4-11-1 5-7-0
Total Yards 213 306
Fumbles-Lost 2-1 0-0
Penalties-yards 2-25 3-25
Punts-Avg. 3-33 2-35

Individual Stats

Rushing : Clarion, Rapp 18-90, Michael McCloskey 6-15, Ryley McMaster 2-16, Kyle Patterson 3-13, Spencer Miller 6-0, Brendan Zerfoss 1-7. Karns City, Turner 12-86, Powers 6-21, Williams 6-26, Eric Dodd 10-78, King 5-2, Hutchison 2-7 Josh Wimer 1-4, Dalton Beham 1-8, Dalton Pyle 1-1, Team 1-(-6).

Passing : Clarion, Miller 4-for-11 72 yards, 1 Int. Karns City, King 5-for-5 79, yards 2 TD’s, Steve O’Donnell 0-2.

Receiving : Clarion, McMaster 2-62, McCloskey 1-2, Ty Burford 1-8. Karns City, Hutchison 1-(-4), Thompson 1-39, Powers 1-25, Williams 1-14, Turner 1-5.

Interceptions : Karns City, Williams.

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