KARNS CITY — As Earl Everetts was wheeled off the football field with a fractured leg, he held his right hand up to his teammates in a show of support.

Karns City's offensive line centers around Everetts, but it was the Gremlins defense that was the center of attention when Karns City held off Hickory for a 28-25 overtime victory Friday.

The Gremlins defense stopped Hickory running back Rashad Campbell three times from the 1-yard line to seal the victory. Through regulation, Campbell had amassed 227 yards on 25 carries and scored three touchdowns, but he couldn't get the one that mattered the most.

"He is a great back," Karns City coach Ed Conto said. "We submarined up front and didn't have any big gaps."

On Hickory's first play in overtime, Campbell rushed nine yards to the 1.

The next three plays, he went nowhere.

"Three shots from the one — their kids made the plays," Hickory coach Jim Bell said.

"He is our go-to guy. He is a great running back and is hard to stop."

Karns City had trouble stopping the 5-foot-9, 184-pound back as he rushed for 235 yards on 29 carries and scored touchdowns from 5, 22 and 20 yards. He also broke a 60-yard run in the first half.

Karns City's offense put the pressure on Hickory in overtime to score.

The Gremlins had the first shot, but settled for a 35-yard field that Matt McConnell booted through the uprights with a low line drive.

"We just played well and executed our stuff," Conto said.

"They made great plays at the end," Bell said. "I give all the credit to Karns City. They are a good, young team."

Karns City trailed 25-7 late in the third quarter, but McConnell started the comeback as he hit his first field goal of the evening with 55 seconds in the quarter from 24 yards out.

Roy Beham and Markus LaVan scored two touchdowns in a span of 3:08 for Karns City in the final period to tie the game.

The Hornets appeared to grab the lead back on the ensuing possession, but an illegal block negated a 42-yard scramble by quarterback Nick Erdesky. Two plays later, Karns City's Mike McConnell intercepted Erdesky to halt the Hornets scoring threat.

After forcing Karns City into a three-and-out, Hickory again appeared to take the lead, but an offensive pass interference call negated a 35-yard touchdown pass.

"On the second one, our guy ran the wrong route and ran into their player and on the first one, I have no comment," Bell said.

Karns City will begin its Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference schedule next week when it hosts Clarion-Limestone.