CHERRY TWP — It's not too hard to imagine the intensity level on the field when unbeaten football teams Moniteau and Karns City collide Friday.

"It's going to be a brawl,"Warriors Coach Steve Wilson said.

That's why he's happy his team just finished playing in one.

Moniteau, 6-0 for the first time since 1959, is coming off a 9-0 victory over a physical Bald Eagle squad to continue its perfect season.

"They were big and strong up front, and they blitzed us all night,"Wilson said. "That game was 3-0 for three and a half quarters."

Adam Cousins provided all of the points, kicking a 32-yard field goal in the first quarter and adding a 45-yard touchdown run in the fourth.

"He's a trooper who plays with a lot of heart,"Wilson said. "I know his teammates appreciate him because he never comes off the field.

"Adam doesn't just lead vocally. He plays when he's banged up and practices when he's beaten up."

The Warriors had four more quarterback sacks last week — one each by Tyler Armagost, Clayton Drnek, Don Keene and Travis Shaffer — and have 28 for the year. Keene led the team with 11 tackles.

Armagost threw for over 100 yards for the fourth consecutive start.

"Tyler is a big-play guy who stands in there and delivers the ball even when he knows he's going to be hit,"Wilson said. "That's what you want in a quarterback."

The Warriors received some unexpected good news when junior linebacker Kyle Mauthe returned to practice this week. He had been sidelined by a finger injury, but surgery was not necessary.

Mauthe still might not play against Karns City, however.

"He's chomping at the bit to get in there," Wilson said. "Some of those tendons are still stretched, though, and we need the gash to heal there. We won't let him play unless he's completely healthy."

Karns City leads the all-time series 32-17-3. The Gremlins and Warriors first met on the football field in 1957.

While the teams have split the last four meetings, including two last year, Moniteau hasn't defeated Karns City in successive seasons since 1978-79.

"This is a good, healthy rivalry,"Wilson said. "It's what rivalries are supposed to be. These are two teams that will lock horns and see who is the better team.

"This has been a rivalry for a lot of years, but a competitive rivalry only recently. It feels good to be able to play at that level."

Wilson said the two teams mirror each other statistically.

"We're very, very similar in that regard," he said. "They're good. They have a solid team everywhere. Defensively, they are similar to us. They're quick and they're excellent tacklers."

Gremlins tight end-defensive end Cameron Turner is "physically dominant on both sides of the ball,"Wilson said. "And Roy Beham is one of the better backs in the league."

Both teams will be looking to establish good field position.

"We want to do that every game,"Wilson said. "Last week, we went for a touchdown from the one-foot line instead of settling for a field goal because we wanted to make them drive 99 yards on us.

"I know Karns City has that same philosophy."

Friday's winner will have sole possession of first place in the Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference. Wilson said his team needs to win to have a shot at winning the league title.

"That's not a secret to anybody,"he said. "But we have so much to play for anyway, the Karns City factor doesn't even have to be there."

Here are the respective statistical leaders for Moniteau and Karns City entering Friday's game:<b>Passing</b>• Moniteau — Tyler Armagost 30 completions, 52 attempts, 574 yards, 7 TDS, 0 interceptions• Karns City — Matt Endlish 41 completions, 77 attempts, 546 yards, 4 TDs, 5 interceptions<b>Rushing</b>• Moniteau — Adam Cousins 72 carries, 460 yards, 10 TDs• Karns City — Roy Beham 75 carries, 474 yards, 7 TDs<b>Receiving</b>• Moniteau — Adam Pry 10 catches, 176 yards, 2 TDs• Karns City — Josh Callendar 8 catches, 140 yards, 2 TDs