SLIPPERY ROCK — Karns City is all about running the football.

Opponents know it. Gremlins wide receiver Jimmy Thompson loves it.

“Our running game opens up so many other things for us,” Thompson said. “You could see it today. Their defensive backs were pinching way in.

“They weren't respecting our passing game at all. We were able to slip behind them and make them pay.”

The 6-foot-0, 165-pound Thompson made Hickory pay big-time for the Gremlins' first points Saturday. He got behind the defense for a 55-yard TD bomb from Jake King that tied the game at seven.

He caught a 35-yard strike late in the second quarter to set up another scoring opportunity.

For the game, Thompson had four catches for 107 yards — all in the first half — in KC's 35-17 PIAA Class 3A playoff win over Hickory. He entered the game with 15 catches for 235 yards and four TDs on the year.

“We moved Thompson from tight end to receiver this year,” Gremlins coach Ed Conto said. “We figured we'd be throwing the ball more and we like his speed and his ability to catch the ball.

“We thought he'd be able to help us more out there and he's done that.”

And he's still helping out the running game.

“Play wide receiver for this team and you still have to block,” Thompson said. “I love that part of the game, too. Our wideouts take pride in our downfield blocking. You never quit in trying to extend a play.”

Thompson spends extra time “playing catch” with quarterback King during practice.

“We do a lot of timing patterns and that rapport between quarterback and receiver has to be there,” Thompson said.

Thompson made key plays from his defensive end position Saturday as well. With Hickory leading 17-14 and with possession to begin the third quarter, he nailed Will Gruber for a 2-yard loss that eventually forced a punt.

Thompson sacked quarterback Hayden Gallagher for a 9-yard loss on third down to force another punt late in the third quarter. He nailed Gallagher again for a 7-yard sack on fourth down late in the fourth quarter.

That was Hickory's final offensive play of the day.

“They were running a lot of formations without a tight end and I was able to loop in there a bunch of times,” Thompson said. “It felt great getting that last tackle of the game.”

Conto could only shake his head and smile when asked about Thompson.

“Just another one of those kids who loves football,” the coach said. “He's a lot like Kaiden Powers in that his motor never stops going.

“Jimmy had a tremendous game.”

Which helped the Gremlins extend their season.

“I love football,” Thompson said. “My mentality is no different from anyone else wearing this uniform: Do what I can to help the team win, keep going and never quit.”