KARNS CITY — Ed Conto can boil down this stage of the high school football playoffs simply.

“It's all attitude from here on in,” said the Karns City football coach. “It's all about what kids want to keep playing.”

When the Gremlins play District 5 champion Bedford in a PIAA Class AA inter-district playoff game Friday night, Conto hopes it is his kids that will keep playing.

Karns City (11-0), the District 9 champs for the fourth straight year, won't have to go far to find out.

Bedford (11-0) will make the 120-mile trip to Diehl Stadium for a 7 p.m. kickoff.

Both coaches downplayed Karns City's home field advantage.

“When you get to this point,” Conto said, “the best team is going to win.”

Karns City made a similar trip to Chestnut Ridge last season and came away with a victory.

“We could have had a home game against them last year, but we didn't win,” said Bedford coach Kevin Steele. “We try not to emphasize the trip. We're going to do our best to go there and get the win.”

Both teams are coming off convincing triumphs in their district title games.

Karns City beat Moniteau 43-6 while Bedford routed Chestnut Ridge 42-7.

And both teams can score — Karns City is averaging 51 points per game while Bedford is averaging 40 points per contest.

The key to Bedford's success this season has been its seniors and the Bisons have a bevy of them playing significant roles.

The quarterback, Austin Montgomery, is a senior and his has completed 60 percent of his passes this season for 1,219 yards and 17 touchdowns.

The top four rushers are all seniors, led by August Cook, who has gained 1,174 yards on just 147 carries and has scored 18 touchdowns.

The top three receivers are seniors, led by Connor Lazorka, who has 23 receptions for 393 yards.

“We have a large group of seniors and most of them have been playing for three years,” Steele said. “On paper, we thought we could have a successful year. Luckily we have stayed healthy.”

Conto said this game, though, will come down to juniors.

Namely his.

“They are a senior-led team,” Conto said. “Watching them on film, they didn't make a lot of mistakes. Last year, we had a lot of seniors (and went to Chestnut Ridge) and won. This year, we have an even mix. Our juniors are really going to have to step up.”

Two of those juniors, quarterbacks Cullen Williams and Jacob King, will continue to rotate at the position.

Both have had their moments for the Gremlins.

Last week it was King who tossed two touchdown passes in the win over Moniteau.

Junior Kaiden Powers also had an impact last week in the running game with 84 yards on just four carries. He also booted a 32-yard field goal.

Steele said Karns City is difficult to stop because of the slew of back with different styles that the Gremlins throw at an opponent.

“They run the ball so well because they have backs with good speed, speed on the edge,” Steele said. “Then they throw Mav Kelsea at you who runs downhill and has a smash-mouth style.”

Conto said the biggest thing his team needs to do on defense is stop the Bedford running game.

“They have a play-action passing game,” Conto said. “Their passing game comes off their run. If they can run on us, they can pass on us.”