KARNS CITY — The annual Moniteau-Karns City football game always stirs up interest, but Friday's 7 p.m. matchup might be hard to top.

Both teams enter the Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference game with identical records (6-0, 4-0), but the winner will gain the upper hand for the conference title.

"I knew us and Moniteau both had the talent and were reloading," said Karns City coach Ed Conto. "I knew we had the youth and they lost some key kids, but I knew by year's end, we'd be good and they'd be good."

Karns City was hit by four noncontact injuries during training camp and had 27 sophomores on the team, making up about two-thirds of its varsity roster.

The Gremlins have posted three come-from-behind wins along the way, despite still battling season-long injuries.

"It's been the same old thing every week," said Conto. "If we can get the same lineup every week, we'd be better. (Running back) Roy Beham last week sprained his ankle. I didn't think he'd play. (Lineman) Josh Williams broke his thumb and came out. (Lineman) D.J. Ekis, in the third quarter, sprained his knee.

"We finished the game with an all-sophomore line. Some people have not been where they're supposed to be,"Conto added.

The Gremlins slipped past Clarion 15-12 last Friday using a 92-yard Anthony Stimac kickoff return for the go-ahead score with 3:09 left in the game.

Brett Green's 57-yard fumble recovery for one score and a Cameron Turner safety accounted for the Gremlins' other scores.

Beham leads the Gremlins with 474 yards on 75 carries and eight touchdowns while Josh Callender leads all receivers with eight catches for 140 yards and two touchdowns. He's one of 12 Karns City receivers who have caught at least one pass this season.

Matt Endlish has completed 41 of 77 passes for 546 yards, four touchdowns and five interceptions.

His counterpart at Moniteau is sophomore Tyler Armagost, who inherited the job earlier this season and has completed 28 of 52 passes for 556 yards, seven touchdowns and no interceptions.

Adam Cousins has rushed for 460 yards on 72 carries with 10 touchdowns and Adam Pry leads the Warriors in receptions with 10 for 176 yards and two scores.

"Obviously, it's more of a team effort. They're using a pretty good passing game, too. The past few years, they haven't had that," Conto said.

"(Armagost) is the best throwing quarterback I've seen there since I've been here and that's been seven years. He throws a nice ball and is accurate,"he added.

As for the Warriors' defense, Conto seems preoccupied about the team's size.

"They are big and strong up front, and that concerns us," said Conto. "Hopefully, we're a little faster."

The Gremlins have come along faster than they might have anticipated, but the Warriors are in the path of what could be a very special campaign.

"I give our young people credit. There's been a lot of jumping around different positions and different styles. Our offense can be better and will be better," Conto said.

"This team has learned a lot about character. Every week has been a gut check. That's what's been amazing."

THURSDAY:Moniteau coach Steve Wilson looks at Friday's KSACshowdown with Karns City.

<B>Year Winner Score</B>1957 M 25-01957 M 13-61958 M 27-01959 M 24-61960 M 26-01961 KC 18-121962 M 27-01963 tied 13-131964 KC 6-01965 KC 46-71966 KC 33-181967 KC 18-131968 KC 26-131969 tied 12-121970 M 46-61971 KC 7-61972 KC 53-121973 KC 20-12<B>Year Winner Score</B>1974 KC 22-61975 M 8-61976 tied 0-01977 M 22-211978 M 22-01979 M 24-141980 KC 27-01981 KC 27-61982 KC 16-61983 M 24-141984 KC 19-141985 M 20-121986 KC 21-101987 KC 33-01988 KC 32-161989 M 25-01990 KC 42-01991 KC 38-6<B>Year Winner Score</B>1992 KC 22-211993 KC 40-201994 KC 14-31995 M 33-261996 KC 42-201997 KC 35-01998 KC 56-01999 KC 54-142000 KC 61-62001 KC 41-02002 KC 33-62002 KC 69-23*2003 M 22-202004 KC 20-72005 KC 10-02005 M 10-7** District 9 Class AA semifinal playoff