The history isn't that promising. Then again, it's history.

Karns City has never defeated Sharon in the football playoffs, losing by scores of 33-9, 14-6 and 20-13 from 1999 through 2001.

“There's some interesting history there. We've had some good games against them,” Gremlins coach Ed Conto said.

The two programs have not met since 2001, but will clash at 7 p.m. Friday in a PIAA Class 3A playoff game at Clarion University's Memorial Stadium.

“All I know is they're really good,” Sharon coach Jim Wildman said. “Coach (Ed) Conto runs a terrific program. They throw multiple formations and sets at you.

“They run the ball extremely well and they can throw it when they have to.”

This game pits the running game of KC (7-4) against the passing game of Sharon (8-3).

The Gremlins have rushed for 3,504 yards and 51 touchdowns this season. The Tigers have thrown for 1,917 yards and 22 scores.

“We take what a defense gives us offensively,” Wildman said. “I feel like our offense is versatile enough to do that. There are games where we've thrown 10 passes, there's games where we threw 30.”

When the Tigers have thrown the ball, it's been with ample success.

Lane Voytik, a 5-foot-11 sophomore, has completed 144 of 235 passes for those 1,917 yards. He has thrown 11 interceptions to go with the 22 touchdowns.

Sharon's go-to receiver has been senior Ziyon Strickland, who has 67 catches for 959 yards and seven touchdowns. Frank Shaffer (25-303-6) and James McKinney (22-332-5) are other key targets.

“Ziyon had more than 60 catches last year, too,” Wildman said. “He has Division I talent, no question. He is very fast, a definite game-breaker type of player.”

“He's good, maybe the best receiver in Western Pennsylvania,” Conto said. “And their quarterback can get the ball there when he has time.

“When a team brings a passing threat like that, you have to disrupt it. We have to put pressure on the quarterback, make him feel uncomfortable. We have to bump the receiver early, throw him off his route.”

Karns City has a restructured secondary with the recent return of cornerback Erik Pfeifer and Hunter Rowe from injuries. Hunter Jones has been moved to the secondary and Dalton Beham has recovered from an ankle sprain to become effective in pass coverage.

“All of those things make a difference,” Conto said.

The Gremlins have a game-breaker of their own in running back Beham. He scored four touchdowns in last week's 42-14 win over Punxsutawney.

Beham has rushed for 1,155 yards and 25 TDs on the season. Clay Garing has rushed for 686 yards and nine touchdowns, Sebastian Troutman 589 yards and six TDs.

“We've been using three fullbacks and all of them have been doing a good job,” Conto said. “Garing and Beham had the same amount of carries and yardage ... They were like twins last week.”

Sharon's top running back, Jordan Wilson, has rushed for 796 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Anthony Kamenski, a sophomore QB like his Sharon counterpart, ran for a score against Punxsutawney. He has thrown for 786 yards on the year.

Both coaches are well-seasoned with their respective teams. Conto has 167 wins in 18 years with the Gremlins.

Wildman compiled 208 wins in 25 years at Sharon before retiring in 2002. He returned as head coach in 2013 and is 38-19 over the past four years.

“I painted every room in the house twice and was starting to get bored,” Wildman said, laughing. “No ... The previous coach was a former player of mine (Bobby Fromm) and he ran into a couple of tough years.

“When he told me he was stepping down, I felt young and energetic enough to give it another go.”

Conto said he and Wildman belong to the same coaches association.

“I've talked to him many times and I've gotten to know his staff,” Conto said. “It's fun coaching against guys like that.”