KC overpowers Redbank Gremlins roll up 354 rushing yards in 42-7 victory
KARNS CITY — The Karns City football team's ground game once again proved too much to handle for those standing their way.
The Gremlins had 12 different rushers run for 354 yards en route to a 42-7 victory over Redbank Valley Friday night at Diehl Stadium.
“We try to play a lot of kids. It's tough to do that,” Karns City coach Ed Conto said. “We had high numbers and we're a small AA school. We work on planning to teach these kids.”
After a scoreless first quarter that saw a fumble from the Bulldogs and a missed 37-yard field goal try by Gremlins kicker Kaiden Powers, the Karns City offense picked up momentum in the second quarter.
After two earlier fruitless rushes, Chandler Turner sprinted 30 yards for a touchdown less than a minute into the second quarter. Turner would score again on a 13-yard rush on the next Karns City drive to put the Gremlins up 14-0.
Turner had 46 yards rushing to go with the pair of touchdowns.
The Gremlins running game continued its success in the second half with touchdowns by Maverick Kelsea and Seth Silverio.
Kelsea's touchdown was set up when Evan Stitt intercepted Redbank Valley quarterback Devin Schimp at the Bulldogs 20-yard line.
Two more fourth quarter touchdowns by Colin Dunmyre and Dalton Beham iced the game for Karns City.
Dunmyre led the Gremlins ground game with 102 yards rushing.
Conto credits the offensive line and the amount of available rushers for the ground game's success.
“They were trying to take away the inside running game, so we just went outside,” Conto said.
Redbank Valley drove down the field several times into Gremlins territory Friday night. However, penalties and turnovers proved costly.
Late in the second quarter, an 18-yard run by Schimp took the Bulldogs to the Gremlins 15-yard line. Two plays later, Schimp was caught in the backfield trying to escape two Karns City defenders and fumbled the ball on the 20, giving the Gremlins the ball back.
After an interception caught by Bulldogs cornerback Connor Shoemaker at the Karns City 38, the Redbank Valley offense had another chance at getting on the board. However, a false start penalty with 12 seconds to go prevented any chance at scoring.
“Our offense left points on the field,” Bulldogs coach Ed Wasilowski said. “We moved the ball between the 20s pretty well and then shot ourselves in the foot.”
Schimp found junior wide receiver Jared Kespelher for a 36-yard touchdown pas in the fourth quarter. Schimp would finish the night 7-for-19 for 141 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
Karns City quarterback Jake King finished the night 7-for-9 for 97 yards and an interception. He had two rushes for 13 yards.
“They have some talent and experience, and I expect them to greatly improve by the end of the season,” Conto said of the passing game.
