CLARION — State championship gold at the end of the rainbow seems far away right now.

It will appear much closer for Karns City if it can find a way to trip up current WPIAL Class AA football champion and defending state title holder South Fayette Friday night at Clarion University's Memorial Stadium.

Kickoff is at 7 p.m.

“It becomes psychology at this point,” KC coach Ed Conto said. “Kids' minds can do a lot. They have to find a way to block out all of the negativity, people telling them they don't have a chance, and they're going to hear a lot of it.

“But if we do find a way to win ... We've got a real shot at winning the last two games. We're competitive with everybody else. We need to get the kids to see that.”

The Gremlins (11-1) have been knocked out by the WPIAL champs before. South Fayette handed them a 57-21 loss last year in the state quarterfinals. Aliquippa and Jeannette have eliminated KC in the past as well.

“But in each of those years, those teams that beat us went on to win the state championship,” Conto pointed out.

South Fayette has been winning pretty much everything since senior quarterback Brett Brumbaugh took over as the starting signal-caller in Week 9 of his freshman season. Brumbaugh is 42-2 as the Lions' starter, both losses coming in the playoffs.

South Fayette (13-0) carries a 29-game winning streak into Friday's game.

“Brett has all of the physical tools and knowledge of the game,” Lions coach Joe Rossi said. “He makes great decisions, has the quick release ... He's the total package.

“But his biggest attribute is he's a fierce competitor on the field.”

Conto believes his team may be able to use that competitiveness to its advantage.

“We know we're not going to stop (Brumbaugh), but we can force some mistakes and contain his production,” Conto said. “He's not afraid to fire the ball into coverage and we may be able to pick one off for a big play.

“Tristan Rhoades picked one off last year and returned it for a touchdown. If we can stay within striking distance for four quarters, that's something their team's not used to.”

South Fayette scored at least 40 points in each of its regular season games this year. The Lions tallied 65 points in their playoff opener against Waynesburg and have scored 39, 35 and 31 the past three weeks.

Brumbaugh owns the WPIAL record for passing yardage with 10,625. He needs 324 yards passing Friday to break the state record of 10,948.

Headed to Duquesne University next year, Brumbaugh has 35 touchdown passes and only five interceptions this year. He's got 2,927 yards passing this season despite losing 1,000-yard receivers Connor Beck and Justin Watson to graduation last year.

South Fayette also graduated 1,300-yard rusher Grant Fetchet last season — and replaced him with 1,280-yard rusher Hunter Hays this year.

“That's the way we are, fill in the holes and keep on going,” Rossi said. “Karns City does that, too. We know what they are capable of.

“They had a 21-14 lead on us in the second quarter last year. We respect their program and know we have to play well to get past them.”

Conto recalls last year's game, too.

“We misfired on a couple of passes down the field that could have been big plays for us,” Conto said. “They turned them into interceptions and the game was over shortly after that.

“High school games this late in the year ... A team falls behind by two touchdowns and the scores tend to become blowouts. We have to stay close to them. We know that. And it will take every kid on our team buying into the belief we can get this done for it to happen.

“If one kid on our sideline doesn't believe, we're done,” Conto added.

Top receivers for South Fayette include Nick Ponkivar with 45 catches for 874 yards and nine touchdowns, tight end Logan Sharp with 42 catches for 755 yards and 12 TDs, and Ryan Schmider with 21 catches for 267 yards and four scores.

The Lions have six players with at least 13 catches and 240 yards. Nine of Roman Denson's 13 catches have gone for touchdowns.

Senior middle linebacker Jared Walker — the Lions tackles leader each of the past three years — “is the heart of our defense,” Rossi said. Cornerbacks Jack Relihan and Denson have five interceptions each.

Dan Truimbur handles the place-kicking and punting duties.

“He made a big field goal late against Aliquippa to make that a two-possession game last week,” Rossi said.

Rhoades did not play at all on defense for KC last week and only had four carries offensively. Christian Turner paced the Gremlins with 89 yards rushing against Chestnut Ridge, including a game-clinching 11-yard touchdown run.

Tyler Dunn, expected to be out for the year with an injury, was medically cleared last week and had seven carries for 65 yards.

“Tyler's return was a big lift for us,” Conto said. We only used him for 25 or 30 plays. Maybe this week, he can go longer.

“We'red hoping Tristan can come back and play defense this week. We could use his speed in the secondary against this team.”