Just the beginning
He's one-third into the season and Karns City coach Ed Conto still doesn't know how good his team can be.
With a 3-0 overall record and a 1-0 mark in the Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference, that could be disturbing for the rest of the Gremlins' opponents.
"I said at the beginning of the year there was a lot of potential," said Conto, who brings his Gremlins to Keystone for a 7 p.m. kickoff Friday. "We still have guys getting hurt and not getting back yet."
The key reason for the success so far? It could be the contributions made by special teams.
"We had 197 (special team) yards last week against Clarion-Limestone (in a 55-6 win),"said Conto. "The week before against Hickory it was the same thing, as well as against St. Marys. That's a big plus, and that's coming from a lot of sophomores and juniors.
"I thought we'd would split the two nonconference games because we scheduled some tougher games. I'm not happy where the line is. It's coming, but we're still 3-0," Conto added.
Three touchdown runs by Roy Beham last week, coupled with three defensive touchdowns, led the Gremlins to their first Keystone Shortway Conference win.
"The one thing about (Karns City) is they're very young and not as big," said Keystone coach Jason Nellis. "They're not as big as Karns City teams in the past, but all 11 players on the field will come after you.
"That's the big reason they're 3-0. They play hard-nosed football and that pays off," Nellis added.
The Panthers (2-1, 2-1) are coming off a 25-7 win over Union, led by junior running back Derek Swartfager, who rushed for 133 yards on 20 carries and two touchdowns.
For the year, Swartfager has 68 carries for 302 yards and three scores.
"We ran the spread offense the past few years, but now we're a more run-oriented offense, especially with a back like Derek.
"He can do a lot of everything. He has decent speed and all the bigger he is (5-feet-10, 165 pounds), he's powerful. He won't pound you, but he twists and turns and gives a good second effort,"Nellis added.
Sophomore quarterback Ben Blank (20-for-39, 202 yards, one TD, three INT), receiver Alex Rowan (eight catches for 102 yards, one TD) and running back Mike Switzer are all key contributors to the offensive attack.
When the Gremlins have the ball, Conto knows his team must be prepared for the Panthers' defense.
"They run well and hit," Conto said. That's where the challenge will be."
The Panthers knocked off KSACpre-season favorite Clarion 14-7 two weeks ago before last week's win over Union. The quick start is something Nellis hopes will continue.
"We're definitely playing a little better brand of football than the last couple of years," said Nellis.
<b>7 p.m. Friday </b>• <b>Streak: </b>Just three games into the season, Keystone (2-1) already has equaled its win total in each of the past two seasons (2-7).• <b>Statistic:</b> Roy Beham leads the Gremlins with just 156 yards rushing through three games, but he has scored six touchdowns.• <b>Speaking:</b> "The one thing about (Karns City) is they're very young and not as big. They're not as big as Karns City teams in the past, but all 11 players on the field will come after you." — Keystone coach Jason Nellis
