Karns City off to a strong start, will host Central Clarion
KARNS CITY — Central Clarion is not off to the type of start it envisioned this football season.
The Wildcats dropped a 38-7 decision to Slippery Rock — the Rockets becoming a last-minute replacement after Punxsutawney pulled out of the originally scheduled game due to COVID-19. Central Clarion's game at Moniteau last week was canceled because of COVID as well.
Now the Wildcats are headed to Diehl Stadium to play Karns City (2-0) Friday night. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
“I'm sure they're excited just to be playing a game,” KC coach Joe Sherwin said. “We're expecting a battle. They are physical up front with four starters returning.
“Yeah, it's fair to say this is the most physical team we're playing so far.”
The Gremlins are coming off road wins of 35-17 at Girard and 42-8 at Punxsutawney.
“Those were long trips. It will be nice to be playing at home,” Sherwin said.
Jayce Anderson has rushed for nearly 200 yards to lead the Gremlins, including a 100-yard effort at Punxsutawney. Inside linebackers Luke Garing and Luke Cramer have been dominating play on defense.
“Both may have been double-digits in tackles last week,” Sherwin said.
Quarterback Eric Booher has thrown for roughly 150 yards while the Gremlins have rushed for nearly 500 as a team.
Sherwin said KC's most pleasant surprise has been kicking on special teams.
“We've only missed one PAT so far,” he said. “I thought we would struggle there, but Zach Kelly has been very consistent. And Nathan Lessner has been kicking off extremely well.”
Central Clarion sophomore Noah Naser had 13 tackles and two quarterback sacks against Slippery Rock two weeks ago. Breckin Rex had 10 carries for 96 yards.
Dave Eggleton is head coach of the Wildcats.
“He's a good coach and he's going to have his team well-prepared for us,” Sherwin said.
Knoch (0-2) at Deer Lakes (0-2) 7 p.m., Friday
The Knights are looking to snap a 10-game losing streak dating back to 2019. Knoch dropped a 28-14 decision to Freeport last week. Deer Lakes is coming off a 49-6 loss to Armstrong.
This game marks the first time these teams have met in football since 2001. Knoch won that game, 48-8, and leads the series 8-4-1.
Knoch RB Keagan Fraser leads the Knights with 26 carries for 148 yards this season ... QB Carson Kosecki has attempted only six total passes in two games, but tossed a 10-yard TD pass to WR J.J. Szebalski last week.
Deer Lakes has 49 net yards rushing this year. QB Derek Burk has completed 20 of 54 passes for 210 yards, 2 TDs and 3 INTs... Ryan Cochran has caught both TD passes and has 8 receptions for 102 yards overall.
New Castle (1-1) at Mars (0-2) 7 p.m., FridayNew Castle crushed Quaker Valley last week, 41-6. Mars lost a 25-6 decision at Shaler.Red Hurricane QB Chris Hood has passed for 283 yards and 2 TDs this season while rushing for 142 yards and 3 scores...New Castle was 1-5 in 2020.Mars RB Evan Wright rushed for 104 yards last week and scored the Planets' lone TD this season...QB Rafael Bartley has completed 17 of 37 passes for 172 yards and 2 INTs ... Mars last began a season 0-3 in 2003.Avonworth (2-0) at Freeport (1-1)7 p.m., FridayAvonworth trounced Apollo-Ridge, 46-0, at home last Friday. Meanwhile, in a rivalry renewal with Knoch, Freeport carved out a 28-14 victory.After winning a WPIAL title in Class 2A in 2019, the Antelopes fell short of the postseason last year after moving up to Class 3A … Avonworth has won its first two games, both at home, by a combined 95-14 score…The team has won seven straight non-conference regular season clashes, dating back to 2019.The Yellowjackets raced out to a 26-0 lead before the break against the Knights … RB Ben Lane leads the team on the ground with 23 carries, 139 yards, and a score … Freeport has only beaten Knoch in non-conference play in the past three years.Blackhawk (1-1) at North Catholic (2-0)Stone Field, North Park 7 p.m., FridayThe Trojans earned their second straight shutout to begin the season last week, beating Ambridge 41-0. Blackhawk trailed Central Valley after 3 quarters last week, 44-14, before falling 58-35 to the Warriors.North scored all of its points vs. the Bridgers in the first half ... RB Jack Fennell scored on runs of 3 and 33 yards and now has 5 TDs this season ... QB Joey Prentice ran for a 13-yard score and passed 45 yards to Kyle Tipinski for another TD.Blackhawk QB Carson Davidson has totaled 371 passing yards and 5 TDs ... WR Carson Heckathorn has caught 8 passes for 165 yards and 2 TDs.Moniteau (0-1) at Ridgway (2-0)7 p.m., FridayMoniteau stayed put last week, cancelling their home opener against Central Clarion due to virus concerns. Ridgway outclassed visiting Kane, 42-6.The Warriors haven't played since their opener on the road at Kane. In that game, a 21-6 defeat, Moniteau QB David Dessicino was 18-for-34 for 178 yards, with a TD pass to WR Cooper Boozel … In all, Boozel pulled in ten footballs for 130 yards.Across two different classes, Ridgway won four consecutive District 9 titles (2016-19)…The Elkers knocked off D9 Large School favorite Saint Marys in Week 1 … Behind capable blockers, senior RBs Dom Allegretto and Cam Marciniak rushed for 162 and 145 yards, respectively, over the first two weeks.Slippery Rock (2-0)at Titusville (1-1)7 p.m., FridaySlippery Rock handled host Sharpsville easily last Saturday, 35-10. Titusville blanked Corry, 18-0.DL Tony Pilosi has anchored Slippery Rock's defense, which has allowed just 17 points in 2 games ... WR John Sabo has 6 receptions for 122 yards and 2 TDs.This game will be played at Titusville's Carter Field, where synthetic turf was installed during the offseason ... The teams last met in 2019, with Slippery Rock winning 42-13.Springdale (2-0) at Summit Academy (0-2)12:30 p.m., SaturdaySpringdale overwhelmed Shady Side Academy last week, 40-12. Summit dropped a 43-8 decision to Leechburg.The Dynamos feature 17 returned starters, including senior QB Legend Ausk, who has thrown for 4 TDs in just 5 completions this season...RB Logan Dexter has 250 yards on the ground to go with 5 total TDs.Aden Koimene scored Summit's TD last week on a 7-yard run.Eagle staff writer Derek Pyda and intern Brendan Howe contributed to this report
