RIMERSBURG — Union was torched on the ground last week and it won't get any easier with Karns City coming to town on Friday for a 7 p.m. kickoff.

The Golden Knights allowed 420 rushing yards in a 55-34 loss to Redbank Valley — 290 yards and seven touchdowns to Mark Strothers alone.

“Lately, that seems to be our Achilles' heel,” said Union coach Dave Louder of his rush defense. “We're not aggressive enough coming up. We're in position, but not finishing tackles.

“Karns City is too good of a team for that,” he added. “We have to solidify our defense. It had been what kept us in games in the past.”

The Gremlins (2-1) have rushed for 7 yards per carry this season. Wyatt Everetts leads the way with 229 yards and three touchdowns on 26 totes. Tristan Rhoades returned from injury for his season debut last week and racked up 124 yards and three scores on nine carries during KC's 49-12 win over Moniteau.

Although Union has allowed 6.3 yards per carry this season, Karns City won't exclusively lean on the run.

“That's always our game plan, but we also have to make sure we work to the throw the ball more,” said Karns City coach Ed Conto. “We do have a good passing attack and we want to bring them both along at the same time.

“Throughout the next couple of weeks, we'd like to be able to throw a good bit and be consistent with it, as well as having a great running game.”

KC quarterback Tyler Kepple has completed 22-of-40 passes for 403 yards with four touchdowns and three interceptions this season. Logan Moroney has emerged as the Gremlins' top receiving threat with eight catches for 164 yards and two scores.

Union has thrived through the air this season behind the arm of quarterback Lane Cicciarelli. The junior is 27-of-49 through the air for 517 yards with eight touchdowns and one interception.

“Lane Cicciarelli might be the best quarterback in the KSAC, not as a runner, but as a step-forward passer,” said Louder.

“He's a good kid and he throws a nice football,” said Conto of Cicciarelli. “(Shane) Murphy catches the ball well and he has a couple of little playmakers in (Chet) Carmichael and (Dylan) Shirey, who are quick little guys that can make things happen.”

Shirey leads Union with 281 rushing yards, while Murphy caught five touchdowns in Union's first two games. Carmichael started slow, but exploded for seven catches and 165 receiving yards and a score last week. He also ran for a 75-yard touchdown.

“We're really happy Chet Carmichael broke out,” said Louder. “We thought it'd happen well before Week 3. He's such a good complement to Shane Murphy.”

Conto knows the aerial attack will present an unfamiliar challenge for his defense.

“That's one thing that we'll have to stop,” he said. “I'm kind of glad that they do throw the ball. It's something that we need to work on.”

Mars (2-1, 2-1)

at Highlands (3-0, 3-0)

Friday, 7 p.m.

Last week: The Planets knocked off Indiana 38-15 and Highlands shut out Franklin Regional 17-0.

Numbers: Mars junior FB Josh Schultheis has rushed for 522 yards and seven TDs this season. ... The Planets have committed eight turnovers in three games. ... Highlands is led by a staunch defense, most notably senior LB Allan Cratsenberg, who paced the Golden Rams last year with 102 tackles and 14 sacks. ... Rams' junior RB Elijah Jackson has totaled 514 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.

Notes: Highlands went 4-5 last season following a slow start, which included a 55-6 loss to Mars. ... The Golden Rams are coached by former Butler and Freeport mentor Sam Albert and have qualified for the WPIAL playoffs in 13 of the past 18 years.

Slippery Rock (3-0, 2-0)

at Bradford (1-2, 0-2)

Friday, 7 p.m.

Last week: Slippery Rock downed Central Tech 21-6 while Bradford fell to Warren 32-14.

Numbers: If you like passing, don't go to this game. Bradford has only attempted 17 passes in three games and Slippery Rock has put the ball up just six times this season. ... Bradford junior RB Kyle Langdon had a breakout game in a loss to Warren with 199 yards on 29 carries and two TDs. He had just 15 carries in the first two games. ... Owls' QB Zach Bartlebaugh has struggled this season, completing just 5-of-15 for 54 yards and four INT. ... Rockets' QB Jake Whitmer lead the team in rushing with 258 yards on 33 carries. He's also scored six TDs. ... FB Frank Conlon is right behind him with 257 yards on 36 carries.

Notes: Bradford senior QB Sean Siffrinn was injured just before halftime of the season opener against Kennedy Catholic and has not played since. ... Slippery Rock PK Mark Cessar is 16-of-16 on extra points this season. ... Slippery Rock toppled Bradford 25-3 last season.

Valley (2-1)

at Freeport (1-2)

Friday, 7 p.m.

Last week: Valley fell to Shady Side Academy 10-8; Freeport rallied past Deer Lakes 14-10.

Numbers: Freeport QB Andrew Romanchak rumbled 76 yards for the go-ahead score with 11:19 remaining the game against Deer Lakes. It was the Yellowjackets' first lead of the season. ... Romanchak had 112 yards on 15 carries in that win, but was 0-for-6 passing. He leads the Jackets with 255 yards rushing ... RB Steven Lassinger added 126 yards on 15 carries. ... Freeport had 10 more penalties for 65 yards. ... Valley's Tyson Hill scored the only TD for the Vikings against SSA on a 15-yard pass from Ty Matthews. ... Valley's defense has been stout all season and only gave up 205 total yards to SSA in the loss. ... The Vikings have given up just 26 points this season.

Notes: Freeport lost to Valley last season 9-8.

Hickory (2-1, 1-1)

at Grove City (3-0, 2-0) Friday, 7 p.m.

Last week: Hickory thumped Wilmington 42-6 while Grove City held off Reynold 37-30.

Numbers: Hickory's rout was keyed by big plays. The Hornets scored on a 74-yard kickoff return, 55- and 35-yard runs and set up another score on an 80-yard run. ... Hickory averaged 9.1 yards per play against the Hounds. ... Grove City took a 23-0 lead at halftime at Reynolds, then had to hang on for the win. ... Jared Graham recovered a fumble in the end zone to give the Eagles a 37-23 lead late. ... GC RB Foster Reznor scored three more TDs and rushed for 105 yards in the win. He also caught four passes for 45 yards. ... Penalties continue to plague the Eagles. They committed nine more for 80 yards.

Notes: Hickory handed Grove City its only two losses last season, beating the Eagles 41-12 in the regular season and then 35-13 in the District 10 playoffs.

Clarion (3-0)

at Moniteau (0-3)

Friday, 7 p.m.

Last week: The Bobcats clubbed Keystone, 62-19. The Warriors were downed 49-12 by Karns City.

Numbers: Clarion has five players with seven carries or more and all are averaging at least 12.4 yards per attempt. ... Damin Slike leads the rushing attack with 397 yards and seven TDs on 30 carries. ... Quarterback John Katis is 14-of-26 for 317 yards with three TDs and no interceptions. ... Cody Hearst is the Bobcats' top receiver with nine catches for 195 yards and two scores. ... Moniteau QB Cody Skiver leads the team in rushing with 162 yards on 38 attempts and has completed 15-of-34 passes for 247 yards with one TD and four picks. ... Stephen Hagg has made an impact at fullback with 132 yards on 30 carries. ... Dustin Geagan leads the Warriors with seven catches for 106 yards.

Notes: Clarion has outscored its opponents 178-26 this season. ... The Bobcats beat Moniteau by a 56-14 margin last season.

Punxsutawney (1-2)

at A-C Valley (0-3)

Friday, 7 p.m.

Last week: The Chucks suffered a 49-7 loss at DuBois Area, while A-C Valley fell at Clarion-Limestone 35-27.

Numbers: Punxsutawney's offense relies heavily on senior RB Christian Falgout, who has rushed for 396 yards and four touchdowns through three games. The Chucks' ground game could have a big night against the Falcons, who allowed a combined 248 yards rushing to C-L's Chase Alcorn and Brent Slater last week. ... A-C Valley senior RB Mike Suto has scored seven of his team's nine TDs this season, including one on a 59-yard punt return last week.

Notes: C-L's win over A-C Valley last week snapped the Lions' 21-game losing streak.

Summit Academy (1-2, 1-1)

at Kittanning (3-0, 2-0)

Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Last week: The Knights fell by a 35-6 margin to Burrell, while the Wildcats edged Greensburg Central Catholic, 18-13.

Numbers: Elijah Hardy leads the Knights with 303 rushing yards on 29 carries, but 247 of those yards came during a Week 1 win over East Allegheny. ... Larry Richardson is Summit's second-leading rusher with 137 yards on 16 carries. ... Summit QB J'Ron Hill-Phillips ran for a 44-yard TD last week and has passed for 136 yards this season. ... Nick Bowers leads the Wildcats with eight touchdowns this season, including a five-TD performance against East Allegheny in Week 2. ... Zane Dudek and Braydon Toy have eached scored three times for Kittanning.

Notes: Kittanning blanked Summit Academy 28-0 last season.