To Karns City coach Ed Conto, playing a team like Hickory may give his team a different perspective before jumping into Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference action next week.

Hickory, out of District 10, also employs the shotgun on every play, posing a different outlook on how the Gremlins will defend.

"We've never played Hickory, so it's a new game, a new experience,' said Conto. "I'm looking forward to playing somebody different."

Karns City will host the nonconference game beginning at 7 p.m. Friday.

Hickory is coming off a 35-21 victory over WPIAL member Western Beaver last Friday.

"They are a very, very athletic team," said Conto, whose team posted a 28-13 triumph over St. Marys last Friday in nonconference play. "They have very good athletes, a lot of speed and they run a spread offense.

"Defensively, they have a lot of hitters. They have guys on special teams that can take it to the house.

"We'll have to be solid all the way around,"Conto added.

The strength of the Hornets is their skill-position players.

Seniors Rashad Campbell (running back), Nick Erdesky (quarterback) and Josh Peagler (receiver) highlight the team's offensive firepower.

"Campbell is big, strong and fast and has a lot of moves," said Conto. "(Peagler) runs counters, reverses and can score and Erdesky (6-foot-4, 210 pounds) is a second-year starter. He throws a really nice ball."

The Hornets also have running back Joey Manilla back, as well as three of their top four receivers from last year's team, which went 7-4 overall and 4-3 in Region 3.

On defense, Hickory lost most of its linemen, but return seven players and are strong at linebacker and defensive back.

"Most of the time, you either have your skill players back or your linemen back," said Hornets coach Jim Bell, now in his fifth season with the program. "This year, we have to replace four of the five linemen. If they come together, we'll be fine."

Karns City used a solid running game last week against the Flying Dutchmen, rolling up 183 yards on 41 carries. Roy Beham led all rushers with 91 yards on 17 carries and scored two touchdowns.

Joey Everetts also scored a rushing touchdown and Cameron Turner caught a 54-yard scoring pass from Matt Endlish, who was making his first varsity start.