KARNS CITY — Records mean nothing when it comes to the playoffs.

That cliche may fall on deaf ears more times than not, but you can now count members of the Northern Potter boys soccer team as believers.

The Panthers entered their District 9 Class A first-round playoff game with a 9-10 record and were facing a Karns City team fresh off its third straight KSAC title with an overall mark of 16-2. And, just for good measure, the Gremlins also were the defending district champions.

But three second-half goals helped to lift the Panthers to a 4-3 win over the Gremlins.

KC's girls team gave the school a split, as it throttled Redbank Valley, 7-0, to advance to the district's Class AA semifinals.

With the boys game tied at 2-all, Northern Potter's Nick Gamble scored his second goal of the game with 7:10 left to play.

Cody Kibbe made it 4-2 just over three minutes later.

Karns City rallied with a goal from Nick LoPresti with 1:28 remaining, but time expired before the Gremlins could score the equalizer.

The Panthers (10-10) controlled the play for much of the game, with the speed of forwards Derek Houghtaling and Kal McCaslin proving to be the difference.

"We have a very strong middle," said KC coach Roy Parker. "And how do you beat that? You bring a couple of dynamite outside players, and that's what they did.

"We started two freshmen on the outside and another at sweeper," Parker added. "I was afraid our inexperience would catch up with us, and it did."

The Panthers, who endured two separate three-game losing streaks during the regular season, found themselves down by a goal twice in the game.

Cody Zabicki gave the Gremlins (16-3) a 1-0 edge just 3:35 into the game.

Northern Potter answered with McCaslin's goal a little more than three minutes later.

KC held a 2-1 halftime lead after the Panthers' inability to clear the ball following a corner kick led to Aaron McGarvey's goal with 14:25 on the clock.

"I just knew if we kept working at it, we'd have a chance," Northern Potter coach Jeff Barber said. "I believed in the team all week long. And the way the game started tonight, I thought it would end up being a shootout."

It was the Panthers who brought more ammunition in the second half, as Gamble's first goal of the game tied the score at two 4:43 into the second half.

Panthers goalkeeper Derek Erway made 13 saves in the game while KC's Josh Grenninger stopped seven shots.

Despite the early exit in the playoffs, the 2006 season was one to remember for the Gremlins.

"Our 16-2 mark was the best regular season this program has ever had," said Parker. "This just might've been the most fun I've ever had as a coach."

Girls Soccer Karns City 7, Redbank Valley 0

The Bulldogs had no answer for KC in the regular season.

And they didn't find one Thursday, either.

KC juniors Karyssa Callender and Allyson Kepple led a dominating performance with two goals apiece.

Michelle Sweeney, Cristen Futcher and Alaina Burns rounded out the scoring.

Redbank Valley (7-11-1) lost to the Gremlins twice during the regular season, including a 2-0 setback on Oct. 19.

"My girls were ready for the playoffs," said Gremlins coach Lisa Castiglione. "They're playing their best soccer of the season."

Junior midfielder Julieanne Scott continued her breakout season as the catalyst of a potent offense with three assists, giving her 26.

KC goalkeeper Kiersten Foreback made six saves in the game.

Redbank's Kim Goth had 11 saves.

Karns City (18-3-1) will host Curwensville in the district semifinals on Monday at a time to be determined.