KARNS CITY — There are position switches that are very common in high school football.

Offensive line to wide receiver is not one of them.

That's the move Karns City senior Brandon Hesidence made this season. He had several catches in the first eight games, but had his breakout performance Friday against Moniteau.

Hesidence snagged three passes for 129 yards and a touchdown as the Gremlins held off the Warriors, 33-19 at Diehl Stadium.

“He was a guard in the preseason,” Karns City coach Ed Conto said of Hesidence. “We had some injuries at wide receiver, and we knew Brandon has size (6-foot-2, 194). He's learning the position out there.”

Sophomore quarterback Anthony Kamenski's first pass attempt of the game was a short completion to Hesidence that the latter turned into a 53-yard gain midway through the second quarter. Six plays later, Kamenski broke a scoreless tie with a two-yard run.

“That play will go as far as the blocking will take it,” said Hesidence of his catch and run. “I like it (the position). I like being out there and making plays.”

The Gremlins (6-3, 3-2) needed the effort because Moniteau, though dressing just 19 players, proved a tough out Friday night.

The Warriors (2-6, 1-4) totaled over 300 yards of offense and consistently moved the ball. However, four turnovers made the team's climb an even steeper one.

One of them came just after Moniteau took over after falling behind 7-0. A shotgun snap ended up on the ground and was recovered by KC's Lucas Williams. The turnover set up Clay Garing's 3-yard scoring run in the final minute of the first half, after which KC led 14-0.

Moniteau quarterback Chance Nagy passed for 216 yards and three touchdowns.

“We moved the ball well tonight,” said Moniteau coach Jon McCune. “That's how the offense is supposed to work. A few more numbers (players) would have helped, but I'm proud of the kids.”

Nagy's first scoring toss of the night came just over halfway into the third period when he capped a 13-play, 67-yard drive with a 7-yard strike to Wyatt Geibel.

The Warriors' momentum was short-lived, however. Two plays into Karns City's ensuing drive, Kamenski connected again with Hesidence, this time on a 61-yard strike down the left sideline. The point-after was missed, but the Gremlins had breathing room at 20-7.

“That pass was three or four inches over the cornerback's hand,” Hesidence said. “It fell right to me. Anthony is a young quarterback doing some great things. He throws the ball well.”

Moniteau's first possession of the final quarter ended in an interception by Devin Ryan, who returned the ball 30 yards to the Warrior 45. Kamenski scored 10 plays later from two yards out and the KC lead was 27-7.

“Our defense played well tonight,” Conto said. “We keep giving up some big plays in the passing game, butgive credit to Moniteau. I've felt all year that they have talent. I think this is one of the best games they've played all season.”

Nagy added two late scoring passes to Hunter Fitzingo (16 yards) and Jared Lominski (27). The first cut Moniteau's deficit to 27-13 with 5:35 left, but the Gremlins' Dalton Beham, KC's leading rusher who missed several games with injury, scored on a 5-yard run to keep the Warriors at bay.

Manny McLean rushed for 72 yards on 14 carries for Moniteau. Lominski caught four passes for 93 yards and the one touchdown.

“This was a rivalry game,” said McCune. “It was a learning point for our kids. You come out and play focused, play hard, you can compete with anybody.”

Moniteau 0 0 7 12 — 19

Karns City 0 14 6 13 — 33

Second Quarter

KC — Anthony Kamenski 2 run (Clay Garing kick), 3:50

KC — Garing 3 run (Garing kick), :37

Third Quarter

M — Wyatt Geibel 7 pass from Chance Nagy (Cody Wise kick), 5:47

KC — Brandon Hesidence 61 pass from Kamenski (kick failed), 4:51

Fourth Quarter

KC — Kamenski 2 run (Garing kick), 6:08

M — Hunter Fitzingo 16 pass from Nagy (pass failed), 5:35

KC — Dalton Beham 5 run (kick blocked), 2:59

M — Jared Lominski 27 pass from Nagy (kick blocked), :24

Individual Statistics

Rushing: Moniteau, Manny McLean 14-72, Chance Nagy 11-33, Nick Martino 5-11, Cody Wise 1-1, TEAM 1-(-7). Karns City, Clay Garing 9-45, Noah Kepple 3-7, Anthony Kamenski 9-24, Dalton Beham 15-68, Sebastian Troutman 4-18, Devin Ryan 2-17, Josh Wimer 2-7, TEAM 1-(-2).

Passing:Moniteau, Chance Nagy 17-27-216-2. Karns City, Anthony Kamenski 7-9-155-0.

Receiving:Moniteau, Nick Martino 6-49, Wyatt Geibel 6-58, Jared Lominski 4-93, Hunter Fitzingo 1-16. Karns City, Brandon Hesidence 3-129, Nick Schill 2-12, Mitchell Kelsea 1-9, Josh Wimer 1-5.