KARNS CITY — Four wins, six losses.

Such numbers don't sit well with the Karns City football program.

The Gremlins not only missed the District 9 playoffs for the first time since 2010. They endured only their second losing season in 24 years.

“I feel like we let a lot of people down,” junior tight end-linebacker Nathan Waltman said. “There's a lot of pride in this program.

“It's time for us to make amends.”

Joe Sherwin enters his second season as Karns City head coach after serving 18 years as offensive coordinator. He noticed one thing was lacking last season.

“We need more dedication to the program,” he said. “We didn't have the commitment in the weight room or off-season work we normally have here.

“Already, I see a big difference with the team. The commitment level and work ethic are up.”

The coach mentioned a few names of players who have spearheaded that difference: Anthony Kamenski, Mitchell Kelsea, Hunter Rowe, Gage Cowoski, Brayden Christie, Waltman, Ethan McElroy, Riley Davis, Luke Garing, Aaron Taylor and Mason McNany.

“These players have put the time in the offseason to prepare themselves and the team to be successful this year,” Sherwin said.

Karns City returns six starters offensively, including third-year quarterback Kamenski. He threw for 702 yards and six touchdowns last season, but was intercepted nine times and completed only 55 of his 129 passes.

Kamenski is his own toughest critic.

“We've got to do better in the passing game,” he said. “We need more consistency there. The wide receivers and I have been working together.

“All summer, I was throwing passes to them as they ran patterns, just getting a feel for things and developing a rapport.”

Waltman is a returning starter at tight end and Kelsea is back at fullback. A pair of linemen return in guard Davis and tackle McElroy.

Battling for time at receiver are Cowoski, Corry Dunmyre, Christie and Caiden Corbett. Rowe is a senior running back. All of the other Gremlin backs are sophomores.

“We need to fill three spots on the offensive line and we're looking at some sophomores to contend there,” Sherwin said.

Those sophomores are Austin Brown, Taylor, McNany and Cole Hilliard.John Elmadollar and Josh Mahood are other senior linemen.

Five starters are back on defense: Kamenski at outside linebacker, Waltman at inside linebacker, Davis at tackle, Kelsea at end and Rowe at safety.

“We've got a good sophomore class this year,” Sherwin said. “That group will help fill some of the holes on that side of the ball.”

Karns City's roster stands at 36 players — a low number for the Gremlins.

But it's a determined bunch.

“We lost too many games in the fourth quarter last year,” Waltman said. “We had leads and didn't hold them.

“We need to close out games, put the other team away. That was lacking.”

The punt and place-kicking duties will be determined. Owen Colwell, a soccer player, is in the mix there.

“We're known as a running team. That's what we've been all my years as an offensive coordinator,” Sherwin said. “We'll continue to try to run the ball first.

“But when you have a third-year starting quarterback, you can put in a few more things. We will take advantage of Anthony's experience.

“I know we're going to be improved because we're working harder. I'm excited to see how competitive we can be,” the coach added.