KARNS CITY — Through seven games this season, Karns City rushers have carried the ball 277 times for 1,615 yards.

Great numbers, to be sure, but while Mars has relied on Billy Bair (1,724 yards) and Knoch on Tim McNerney (1,200) to shoulder the load, who have the Gremlins turned to?

Just about everybody.

For the second consecutive season, the Gremlins have relied on more than just one or two running back, and that plan seems to be working quite well.

Last year, 19 different players attempted at least one carry, 10 of whom scored touchdowns and six gained at least 100 yards.

Without that one true runner, that squad won the Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference and reached the District 9 Class AA championship game.

This year, 16 players have carried the ball, nine have scored at least once and four players have gone for more than 250 yards.

Now in his eighth season at Karns City, head coach Ed Conto has enjoyed go-to players in the backfield like Billy Graham, Matt Carnahan and Josh Fiscus, but he has found a way to make both systems work.

"I don't know if it makes a difference if you're tailback-oriented or fullback-oriented," said Conto. "The only advantage with one guy is there are fewer mistakes.

"When you use more guys, it takes them more time to get familiar with what we're doing. Sometimes a guy might be a slower starter and may not get that many chances.

"The thing is if someone goes down (with an injury), we have others to step in and can contribute,"Conto added.

"Most teams key on one single player, like Moniteau and James Shope," said fullback Brett Green. "With our team, you can't say, 'Hey, let's key on him.'

"And, say I'm not running too well. Then we can switch to someone else," Green added.

Green is leading the team with 379 yards and four touchdowns on 46 carries.

Markus LaVan (55-297-4), Josh Stimac (33-260-2), quarterback Anthony Stimac (51-253-4) and Stephon Conto (19-137-2) have led the way, while Ben Pyle, Josh Callender, Aaron Markle and Mike McConnell have also scored touchdowns.

That many dependable runners is a blessing for Stimac.

"That's what I like. When those guys get their chance behind me, they run hard," said Stimac.

Stimac has shown he knows his ability to run is a bonus for the Gremlins."

"I love to run, and the coaches know that," said Stimac. "I'll do whatever I can to win."

And having a strong ground game will always help a team along the way.

"We have three good tailbacks who are all deserving to play," said Conto. "Ben Pyle (who has endured two knee surgeries since last year) is a strong kid, but not real big. He's not been at 100 percent, but he does a nice job power running. He still runs with a brace, but next year, when he's 100 percent, he'll be explosive.

"Markus is quick. Once he gets in the open field, he gets excited and trips. He's getting better and that showed in the game against Redbank Valley (nine carries, 118 yards rushing, one TD).

"Josh Stimac, he's been doing well all year,"Conto added.

Throw in fullbacks Green and Levi Buck, as well as flankers Stephon Conto and Callender, and it can be hard to figure out who'll get the ball.

"Every one of the running backs is pretty good," said LaVan. "We've all got speed, power and agility and have gotten the job done."

With the way the Gremlins have traditionally run the ball, there always seems to be a lot of players getting a chance or two throughout the season.

"The one thing we've always done is to play young guys," said Conto. "Some people will say we're running up the score, but, doggone it, they're hungry, too. They're not going to take the ball and fall down."

With the success the Gremlins have had — 17-2 dating back to last season — it's hard to argue with the results. And it might not change any time soon.

"We don't really specialize," said Conto. "We just run our offense. We'll see what the defense does and we take what they give us."

Said Green, 'Everyone likes to hear their number more, but the way it's working, it's perfect."

"We're all in it together," said LaVan. "It doesn't matter who gets the ball. We're all cheering for each other."