Karns City figures this game is worth the trip.

The Gremlins (8-1) close the regular football season Friday with a 7 p.m. kickoff at Clearfield (8-1) in a battle of traditional District 9 football powers.

“This is the kind of game we want right now,” Gremlins coach Ed Conto said. “They force you to do everything right: Block well, tackle well, be in the right spots in the secondary.

“If the kids don't do what we've taught them to do, we'll lose.”

Clearfield has outscored its last five opponents by a combined 162-10 margin. Sophomore quarterback Isaac Rumery has thrown for 1,226 yards and 11 touchdowns, run for 466 and four scores.

Seth Caldwell leads the Bison ground game with 864 yards and 11 touchdowns. Micah Heichel has 24 catches for 606 yards — averaging 25 yards per catch — Ryan Lezzer has 23 catches for 427 yards.

“They've had the same coaching staff in place for a long time up there,” Conto said. “That means they're fundamentally solid. They are like us in that they're used to winning.

“They throw a lot of deep stuff, a lot of posts and fades. And their quarterback is elusive in that if we lose containment, he can pull it down and go.”

Karns City continues to be banged up. Quarterback Jake King returned recently from injury and has thrown for 934 yards and 10 TDs. Running back Cullen Williams has torn ligaments in a thumb and has been playing with a soft cast.

“It's affecting him catching the ball a little bit, but Cullen has adjusted to his new role as a running back,” Conto said. “I expect he'll get better with each game.”

Two-way senior lineman Alec Bard is likely out for the season with a back injury and leading tackler Brayden Fedorek is already sidelined for the year. Chandler Turner, a 900-yard rusher with more than 1,100 yards in total offense this season, strained an achilles last week.

“He's got a boot on right now for protection. I'm not sure if we'll play him Friday or not,” Conto said. “Hopefully, he can play on defense because he would be a big help covering their speedy receivers. But we may go on the cautious side and hold him out.”

Conto is pleased with the efforts of linebackers Sebastian Troutman and Clay Garing, center Carter Dunmyre, among others.

“We have a lot of guys stepping up right now and we need that to continue,” the coach said.

Friday will mark the first-ever football game between the two schools.

Altoona (2-7)

at Seneca Valley (5-3)

Friday, 7:30 p.m.

What to look for: Altoona was defeated 35-0 by host Bethel Park last Friday. Seneca Valley crushed Shaler 57-6 at NexTier Stadium. ... Since joining the WPIAL in 2010, Altoona has gone 22-44. The Mountain Lions' lone winning season in that stretch was 2014 when the team went 8-3 and reached the WPIAL quarterfinals. ... SV quarterback Jack Cook has passed for 1,194 yards, 13 TDs and 5 INTs. He's added 489 yards and 8 TDs on the ground. The Raiders have qualified for postseason play in back-to-back years for the third time in program history.

Valley (5-3, 4-2)

at Freeport (4-4, 3-3)

Friday, 7 p.m.

What to look for: Valley leads the series between the teams 9-5, but the Yellowjackets have won high-scoring games the past two years, 50-35 and 39-30. ... Valley is averaging 26 points scored and 29 allowed per game. ... Running back Chase Balla leads the Vikings with 12 touchdowns. ... This year marks Valley's 50th football season. ... Freeport has dropped three straight games to fall out of playoff contention. Quarterback Austin Romanchak has thrown and rushed for more than 500 yards for the Yellowjackets. ... Travis Wisniewski continues to lead Freeport defensively with 87 tackles, including eight tackles for loss.

Moniteau (3-5)

at Redbank Valley (4-4)

Friday, 7 p.m.

What to look for: The Warriors are hoping to get more steady play out of sophomore QB Chance Nagy, who has shown flashes this season. Nagy has thrown for 750 yards and six TDs, but also has thrown 12 INTs. ... Nagy's main target has been senior WR Dalton Anderson, who has 27 receptions for 495 yards and four TDs. ... Moniteau's running game has been by committee with four players with more than 200 yards on the ground. ... Redbank Valley is led by a sophomore under center as well in Keaton Kahle. Kahle had thrown for 628 yards and five scores with only four INTs. ... The Bulldogs have also spread out their running game. Three players have more than 300 yards rushing, led by 475 by Colton Mohney.

Freedom (3-6, 3-3)

at C.W. North Catholic (4-4, 3-3)

Stone Field

Friday, 7 p.m.

What to look for: The winner of this game will qualify for the WPIAL Class AA playoffs while the loser will be left out of the postseason. ... Both teams lost last week. Freedom fell 18-10 at home to Midwestern Conference leader Neshannock. CWNC lost to South Side 28-14 at Stone Field. ... In last week's loss, the Trojans allowed 303 offensive yards, all on the ground, and four rushing TDs. ... CWNC sophomore William Gipson started at QB and completed 7-of-20 passes for 93 yards. He scored both of his team's TDs on runs of 27 and 3 yards.

Ridgway (7-2)

at Union/A-C Valley (2-6)

Foxburg

Friday, 7 p.m.

What to look for: Ridgway toppled host Elk County Catholic 7-0 last week. Union/A-C Valley was shut out 54-0 at home by Clarion. ... Ridgway has thrown for just 374 yards all season. The team's ground attack is led by junior RB Neil MacDonald and his 628 yards and 8 TDs. ... The top 8 of 13 teams in District 9 Class A will qualify for postseason play. Ridgway is currently ranked No. 1 and Union/A-C Valley No. 9.

Avella (2-7) at Summit Academy (2-6)

Saturday, 12:30 p.m.

What to look for: Avella is coming off a 35-6 win over Monessen while Summit Academy is trying to bounce back from a 28-14 loss at Northgate. ... The Knights had a good showing in that loss to Northgate. After falling behind 14-0 at the half, Summit Academy scored a pair of third-quarter TDs on a 4-yard run by Victor Ocasio and a 1-yard run by Giante Thomas.