KARNS CITY — In the grand scheme of things, the Karns City-Wilmington matchup Friday means little.

Both the Gremlins (8-1) and the Greyhounds (8-1) have clinched at least a share of their conference titles and are heading to their district playoffs next week with designs on long postseason runs.

Just don't tell them this game means little. When the game kicks off at Karns City at 7 p.m., both teams are determined to play it as if everything is on the line.

"We're approaching it like a playoff game, to be honest," said Karns City coach Ed Conto. "I don't get into that it's-a- non-conference-game stuff. You don't want to go, get pounded, get beat up and lay down. What you want to do is go out, play hard and learn from it, win or lose."

Wilmington coach Terry Verrelli isn't treating this game as a glorified scrimmage, either.

"We're going to play it like any other game on our schedule," Verrelli said. "You can't treat it like anything else."

Of course, there is history between the two teams.

Last year, Karns City went into New Wilmington and upset the undefeated Greyhounds 22-21.

The loss ultimately helped propel Wilmington to the Class AA state championship.

A similar upset loss to Hickory five weeks ago launched the Greyhounds into a prodigious run.

With a 40-0 win over Slippery Rock last week, Wilmington has scored 153 unanswered points and has registered three straight shutouts. The last team to score on it was Sharon the week after the loss to the Hornets.

"From what I see, they are every bit as good as they were last year," Conto said.

For Wilmington, it starts with its dynamic backfield duo of Derrick Burns and Sutton Whiting. Both have great speed and both are extremely elusive.

Burns leads the team with 613 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns on 55 carries. Whiting has gained 541 yards on 65 carries and has scored eight touchdowns.

"They have a good combo back there," Conto said. "It's like having two (Moniteau running back James) Shopes."

Karns City had trouble containing the shifty Shope two weeks ago in a one-point loss to the Warriors. That game exposed some things in the defense that Conto is trying to correct.

A game against a solid team like Wilmington might be the best way to iron out those kinks, Conto said.

"When you play a good team, you find out what needs fixing — the things that can come back and bite you," Conto said.

Moniteau (6-3) at Grove City (6-3) 7 p.m., Friday

Both teams are headed to the playoffs in their respective districts. ... Both are coming off road wins as well: Moniteau 49-21 at Redbank Valley, Grove City 21-3 at Warren. ... Warriors QB Kyle Armagost returned from a sprained knee last week. He has 787 yards and eight TDs passing, 456 yards and eight TDs rushing. ... Eagles QB Tyler Dagres has thrown only one touchdown pass, but nine Grove City players have rushed for TDs. ... RB James Shope leads Moniteau with 1,175 yards and 19 TDs rushing. ... Jamarr Patterson has 747 yards and nine TDs rushing for Grove City.

Slippery Rock (2-7, 2-4) at Greenville (6-3, 3-3) 7 p.m., Friday

The Trojans need a win and some help to advance to the postseason. ... The game could be a chance for the Rockets to be spoilers and close a difficult season on a positive note. ... Last week, Wilmington dominated the Rockets in a 40-0 win. ... Greenville is coming off a 42-7 win over Reynolds. ... A six-point loss to Oil City and a one-point setback to Sharon might come back to haunt the Trojans. ... Dylan Zuschlag has been a workhorse for Greenville, rushing for 964 yards and 11 touchdowns. ... R.J. Malson is dangerous on both sides of the ball for the Trojans, rushing for 613 yards and leading the team with 96 tackles.