CHERRYTWP— The final score seemed out of place with the rest of the numbers.

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First Downs:Moniteau 17, Karns City 8•

Yards Rushing:Moniteau 113, Karns City 55•

Yards Passing: Moniteau 332, Karns City 113•

Total Yards:Moniteau 445, Karns City 168•

Score:Karns City 20, Moniteau 18"For the yardage we had, we should have scored more touchdowns," said Moniteau senior lineman Justin Castello. "I'm glad we're getting another shot at them."That shot comes at 7 p.m. Saturday when the Gremlins (9-1) host the Warriors (6-4) in a first-round District 9 Class AA football playoff game.The regular-season matchup Oct. 13 featured a battle of unbeaten teams. Moniteau has not won a game since."The losing streak doesn't bother me," Warriors coach Steve Wilson said. "We've been pretty bruised up and the bye week (last week) gave us a chance to heal up."The kids are treating this like it's a new season, a fresh start, and that's what it is."Moniteau dropped close games to Karns City and Redbank Valley (7-6) before being defeated handily at Clarion (26-7) and Wilmington (41-13). All four of those teams reached the postseason."All we did last week was work on fundamentals and tackling drills,"Wilson said. "Karns City is as sound a team in fundamentals and tackling as I've ever seen. You have to match that technique when you play them."During the Oct. 13 game, Moniteau ventured inside the Gremlins' 20-yard line six times — and came away with 12 points."We only rushed for 120 yards or so," Wilson said. "We'll have to improve in that area because Karns City's coaches do a great job with adjustments."What worked for us against them last time they're gonna try to take away."Versatile running back Adam Cousins returns to the Warriors lineup after suffering a knee injury late in the Karns City game. He has 501 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns in seven games this year.Linebacker Kyle Mauthe has left the team and will be replaced by a combination of Travis Shaffer and Dakota Campbell."Besides that, knock on wood, we're healthy,"Wilson said.Being healthy on the scoreboard against the Gremlins has been another story.Karns City leads the all-time series between the teams 33-17-3 and has won 11 of the past 13 meetings. The two losses were 10-7 in the playoffs last year and 22-20 in 2003.Wilson agreed that Karns City is much like his team: a collective squad of hard-working non-superstars — except for one player."Cameron Turner," he said. "He'd be a great player at the Class double-A, triple-A or quad-Alevel, it doesn't matter. He's 6-feet-2, 230 pounds, and we have to find a way to account for him."Him and Justin Switzer, who seems to be in on 80 percent of their tackles, are impact players who hurt us the last time."Turner forced a fumble that Switzer scooped up and took into the end zone for the touchdown that gave the Gremlins a 20-12 lead.Karns City defeated Clarion this year despite not scoring an offensive touchdown."Good teams disrupt things, make their own breaks and capitalize on them,"Wilson said. "And Karns City is a very good team. They force turnovers, and we have to avoid them."Tyler Armagost has thrown for 1,054 yards, seven touchdowns and three interceptions. Cruz Eshenbaugh has 17 receptions for 301 yards, and Adam Pry has 14 catches for 261.Since moving from quarterback to receiver, Josh Loos has eight catches for 195 yards."Our strength is throwing the football, and we still have to do that,"Wilson said. "Karns City's kids are so disciplined. They're one of the best tackling teams we've faced all year."This is a good rivalry. The kids are respectful of each other and so are the coaches. It's great that two nearby communities can get together and provide such a good high school football game."Thursday:Karns City coach Ed Conto looks at Saturday's game.

Here is a look at Moniteau's 2006 football season:at Clarion-Limestone 42-6, ST. MARYS12-7, A-CVALLEY35-0, at Union 42-3, KEYSTONE34-21, BALDEAGLE9-0, at Karns City 18-20, REDBANKVALLEY6-7, at Clarion 7-26, at Wilmington 13-41(Home games in caps)