KARNS CITY — Everything kept rolling along for Karns City last season.

First, the team captured its third consecutive Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference title, then an undefeated regular season, followed by the District 9 Class AA championship.

A loss in the first round of the PIAA playoffs to eventual champion Jeannette brought the season to a screeching halt, but the Gremlins are eyeing more this season.

The squad lost only five players from that team and will remain the favorite in the KSAC, which adds Brookville and Punxsutawney in 2008.

"Our goal is to go farther than last year, to stay healthy and keep developing," said coachEd Conto. "You never know what happens. It will depend on who's healthy and our depth and can we fill in the holes."

The team lost leading rusher Brett Green (603 yards, nine TD), leading receiver and defensive star Cameron Turner (21-446, 5 TD), as well the kicking and punting expertise of Matt McConnell, who was third in the county scoring race with 111 total points, including 7 TDs, and Mike McConnell, respectively, and Stephon Conto (six total TD).

Senior Anthony Stimac returns at quarterback to keep the offensive machine moving.

Stimac passed for 1,583 yards, 20 touchdowns and nine interceptions last year, and rushed for 441 yards and nine more scores.

"Anthony is one of the most polished quarterbacks we've had," said Conto. "He's played a lot of football games, won a lot of football games. He throws well and is a good leader.

"I wouldn't trade him for anyone," Conto added.

The running-back-by-committee concept, which saw 20 different players touch the ball, 11 score touchdowns and eight rush for at least 100 yards, will be back in business in 2008.

"We have three outstanding tailbacks in Markus LaVan (77 carries, 496 yards, 6 TD), Josh Stimac (50-455-7) and Ben Pyle (33-206-2). They're just solid. It's a shame because any one of them could be starting for another team."

At fullback, Levi Buck returns from part-time duty and will be joined by Jake Wagner.

At receiver, last year's top three graduated, but Josh Callender (11-275-4) and Cody Williams (4-84-3) will lead the way this season. Seniors Dan Wolf and Cory Lakin and junior Brandon Collier will add some depth to the position.

Devin Collins, Corey Gifford, Shane Dillon, Earl Everetts and Nick Sypulski will return to provide the offensive line with another big season.

"Those guys are always running around, never taking a break,"Conto noted.

The KC defense lost the McConnell brothers and Conto, who made up three-fourths of the secondary, but Anthony Stimac returns and most likely will be joined by Wolf, Lakin and Collier. The team has a lot of depth at the defensive linemen positions.

Josh Stimac and J.J. Grenninger are among those vying for the kicking duties. Everetts could handle the punting.

"Grenninger is a soccer goalie and he has a lot of ability," said Conto. "But, there are other guys who can do it, too."

The Gremlins' roster has more balance among the classes than it has in the past. KC has 23 seniors, 14 juniors and 18 sophomores.