Not done quite yet
Their senior seasons ended nearly nine months ago, but Anthony Kamenski and Hunter Rowe have received one last opportunity to represent Karns City High School on the football field.
The quarterback/linebacker and running back/safety, respectively, have been chosen to play in the 5th Annual Frank Varischetti All-Star Game next Friday in Brockway.
“I'm excited about it. I love football and this gives me another chance to go out there and get after it,” said Rowe.
The game will pit star players from schools that were formerly part of the now-defunct Allegheny Mountain League against those from the Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference. The players, all from the Class of 2020, were nominated and chosen according to the number of votes they received from head coaches of the participating schools.
Kamenski and Rowe will suit up for the KSAC squad. Both players were key to Karns City's resurgence last fall after the program missed the postseason in 2018 with a 4-6 mark, a rarity at KC. The Gremlins' 2019 season ended with an 8-4 record after a hard-fought loss to Ridgway in the District 9 Class 2A semifinals.
Kamenski ran for 1,301 yards and 11 touchdowns and added 739 passing yards and nine more scores through the air.
“I was bummed out by our 2018 season,” Kamenski said. “We stalled, but it was good to get the ball rolling again last year.”
Rowe tallied 931 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns. Both players also started on defense.
“When we needed a big play, he (Kamenski) provided it,” said KC coach Joe Sherwin, who, along with his coaching staff, will guide the KSAC squad in Friday's game. “He was a leader for us.
“In years past, Hunter dealt with some injuries. He was able to stay healthy last year and he showed what he can do.”
The all-star contest was originally scheduled for June 26, but was pushed back due to COVID-19. That threat still looms as no fans will be allowed at the game. The action will be broadcast by several media outlets, including on radio by 105.5 FM out of Brookville and on Facebook through MegaRockFMFan.
Kickoff is 7 p.m.
“I'm not worried about the virus,” said Kamenski. “Most of the players are from small towns where the exposure has been low.”
Kamenski is headed to Westminster College, where he will play linebacker/safety for the football team, but the Presidents' Athletic Conference has pushed the season back to the spring semester.
“It's a chance to play in a live game and I'm excited about it,” Kamenski said of Friday's event.
Rowe will soon arrive at Parris Island, S.C., where he will join the U.S. Marines.
“It will be tough to leave football behind,” he said. “It has been a part of my life and I had a lot of fun playing. That's all that matters.”
