NEW BETHLEHEM — With the Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference shaping up to be a three-team race, the first step toward deciding the top spot will begin with Karns City's matchup at Redbank Valley Friday.

Kickoff is 7 p.m.

The Bulldogs (4-0, 3-0) and Gremlins (4-0, 2-0) will look to get the upper hand in the conference chase and put more pressure on the third undefeated conference team, Moniteau (3-1, 3-0).

Redbank Valley eked out a 13-12 victory over Keystone to start the season, then rolled to lopsided wins over Union (48-6), West Branch (48-0) and Clarion (41-20).

A great start to the season, to be sure, and even a little surprising to Bulldogs coach Ed Wasilowski.

"It's beyond our wildest dreams," said Wasilowski. "We're 4-0 having played Keystone and Clarion.

"It's good having (quarterback Jake Smith and running back Alex Bladel) back. Anyone who knows football knows having skill people is good, but you have to have a great line.

"We graduated a great line last year and just hoped to survive the early part of the season, and we did. We have the chance. That's all you can ask,"Wasilowski added.

Last week against the Bobcats, Smith completed 16-of-25 passes for 248 yards and two touchdowns, ran for 71 yards and another touchdown and led the defense with a team-high nine tackles and an interception.

Bladel rushed for 70 yards and three scores, added 45 yards in receiving and also added six tackles and an interception.

For the year, Smith has completed 40-of-65 passes for 737 yards, seven TDs and no interceptions. He's also rushed for 277 yards and five scores while Bladel has 289 rushing yards and seven touchdowns.

"Jake is pretty much a mirror image of Keystone's quarterback (Ben Black). They have the same offense, the same defense," said Karns City coach Ed Conto.

"Jake seems to run more, maybe more shake and bake,"Conto added.

The Gremlins are coming off an impressive win themselves, downing Keystone 42-14 and rolling up 406 yards on the ground, led by Brett Green (103), Josh Stimac (101) and quarterback Anthony Stimac (84).

Wasilowski, now in his 12th season with the Bulldogs, is all too familiar with the Gremlins and their program.

"They've won the (KSAC) the last couple of years, so until someone knocks them off, they're the champs," said Wasilowski.

"The play of (Anthony) Stimac at quarterback has been outstanding. He's a leader. You knew they had (tight end-linebacker) Cameron Turner coming back, but the surprise was Stimac. He's the cog that runs the offense,"Wasilowski added.

Anthony Stimac has completed 20-of-53 passes for 378 yards and two touchdowns.

For the season, Josh and Anthony Stimac, Green, Markus LaVan and Stephon Conto have combined to score 12 touchdowns.

The Gremlins also have enjoyed a great start, downing St. Marys 23-13, Hickory 35-11 and Clarion-Limestone 42-0 before last week's win over the Panthers.

"It's starting to come together," said Conto. "The kids know the routine and based on the year so far, yeah, we're happy with the production."