CHERRY TWP — The series has been lopsided in recent years, with Karns City winning nine of the last 10 meetings.

Of course, that will mean nothing when the Gremlins (3-0) venture over to Moniteau (0-2) for a 7 p.m. kickoff and the 73rd football game between the schools.

“It's a neighborhood rivalry and they are always ready for us,” Karns City coach Joe Sherwin said. “We expect a great game Friday night.”

The Warriors plan on giving the Gremlins one.

While Moniteau has lost the only two games it's played this year — 21-6 to Keystone, 42-14 to Ridgway — the Warriors haven't exactly experienced a typical start to a season.

“Our first game at Kane was the first time most of our guys started a varsity football game,” Moniteau coach Bob Rottman said. “Then we get hit with a COVID situation and don't play for a week.

“We couldn't even practice that week. Once we did get back to playing, some of our players were still under quarantine. I know we're not the only school going through this, but it's tough to establish any continuity under those circumstances.”

While the Warriors have been struggling, the Gremlins have been rolling.

Karns City has scored 114 points through three games, defeating Girard 35-17, Punxsutawney 42-8 and Central Clarion 37-13. That offensive success begins with the ground game.

“Going into the season, I figured we'd be seven or eight deep on the offensive line,” Sherwin said. “But we've been going 10 deep.

“Someone goes down with an injury, someone else steps in and does the job.”

T.J. Vlassich, who regularly only plays defense, stepped in while Mason McNany had an injury and stood out at right guard last week. Jayce Anderson has rushed for over 200 yards for KC and Luke Garing ran for 131 last week.

“Most of our passes have been off play-action,” Sherwin said. “The run game has set those plays up.”

Eric Booher threw touchdown passes of 35 yards to Nate Garing and 14 yards to Cooper Coyle last week against Central Clarion.

“That's just Karns City football,” Rottman said. “It always starts with the run for them. They bring a lot of physicality and intensity up front.

“We're going to have to match that and go one better.”

Defensively, Luke Garing at linebacker, Coyle and Nate Garing in the secondary stood out for KC last week. Coyle moved from cornerback to safety last week and Sherwin said he will start at safety this week.

Moniteau quarterback David Dessicino has thrown for 212 yards — 178 in the season opener at Kane — but has tossed five interceptions. Cooper Boozel had 10 receptions for 130 yards in that opener.

Hunter Stalker has 79 yards rushing, Matt Martino 73 for the Warriors. Martino leads the defense with 21 tackles while Dessicino has 14 and Logan Campbell 12.

Martino and Dessicino are linebackers.

“There aren't many (high school) quarterbaks playing outside liebacker, but there aren't many 6-foot-4 quarterbacks, either,” Rottman said.

“Matt Martino leads us in tackles. That doesn't surprise me at all.”

Sherwin said Moniteau's defense will provide a few looks his line hasn't seen before.

“They do a lot of blitzing and we're going to have to be able to pick that up,” the Karns City coach said. “They have athletic guards who can get out and pull.

“We have to be ready for almost anything Friday.”

The game marks Moniteau's home debut this season.

“It's a grass field and it can get muddy there,” Sherwin said. “A muddy field can even out everything. We're hoping it's dry that night and the field is in good condition.”

Karns City leads the series between the teams 47-22-3, including wins of 31-8 and 24-0 last year.