Opportunity knocks
KARNS CITY — The Gremlins defense provided all the spark needed to jump start Karns City in a crucial Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference football matchup Friday evening.
The Gremlins scored 13 points off turnovers and another seven on a shanked punt as Karns City needed just about every mistake Redbank Valley made to grab a 23-7 victory and to stay unbeaten.
"We gave it away," Redbank Valley coach Ed Wasilowski said. "We shot ourselves in the foot a couple times."
The win sets up a possible KSAC title showdown in two weeks when Karns City hosts Moniteau, the only other undefeated team remaining in the conference.
"It's a start," Karns City coach Ed Conto said. "But there is a long ways to go. We have to keep playing better ball."
The two teams combined to punt the ball six times in the first half as both defenses were strong.
"The game went back and forth," Conto said. "We had drives stall out and they had drives stall out."
But Karns City's defense ended up being its best offense.
Late in the second quarter, Redbank Valley quarterback Jake Smith dropped the ball, which bounced around before Karns City's Josh Switzer finally corralled it and scampered 15 yards for the first points of the game.
"We struck paydirt first," Conto said. "When you can do that, it takes a little out of you."
"We gave them the first one, that fumble," Wasilowski said. "Jake tried to make a play when he should have fallen on it. He knows that now."
Karns City's defense kept the pressure on Redbank Valley's offense. The Bulldogs' ensuing drive netted 18 yards on seven plays, but Dan Jordan's punt went straight up in the air and went five yards.
Six plays later, Karns City quarterback Matt Endlish found Josh Callender in the back of the end zone for a 14-yard score and a 13-0 lead.
"We dug ourselves a hole we couldn't get out of," Wasilowski said. "We lost control of our destiny."
With a 13-point lead, Karns City used its big offensive line to take control of the football.
Roy Beham rushed for 136 yards on 18 carries and the Gremlins racked up a season-high 206 total rushing yards.
"It starts with the line," Conto said.
Beham got the majority of his yards on wide pitchouts, stretching Redbank Valley's defense.
"I thought they were tough inside," Conto said. "I wanted to get them running. I thought that is where we had an advantage."
Endlish completed eight of 12 passes for 105 yards and a touchdown.
