Gremlins scorch Knights for long scores
KARNS CITY — On a night when the Karns City High School football team scored a touchdown in just about every possible way, it was Josh Callender who left the biggest mark on Union.
Callender, a senior wide receiver and safety. scored four touchdowns to lead the Gremlins to a 62-13 home win over the Golden Knights Friday night.
Callender scored on two touchdown receptions from quarterback Anthony Stimac. He also returned two punts for touchdowns, scorching the Knights on runs of 71 and 52 yards.
Karns City coach Ed Conto was pleased with Callender's evening.
"He's an explosive athlete," Conto said. "With punt returns, you don't really get a chance to practice that, and he made the most of his opportunities tonight."
Callender finished the night with 179 all-purpose yards, and he could thank his teammates for the blocking he received.
Karns City's offensive line overpowered the Union defensive front most of the evening. The Gremlins' downfield blocking was equally impressive on their countless long runs., as the team scored six touchdowns of 30 yards or longer.
Karns City (2-0) scored on two punt returns, two runs, three passes, a fumble recovery and an interception return.
Along with Callender's four touchdowns, Josh Stimac had a 70-yard interception return, Matt Bauldoff had a 55-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown, Markus LaVan had a 30-yard touchdown run, Cory Lakin had a 29-yard touchdown reception and Jake Wagner capped off the scoring for Karns City with an 11-yard run in the third quarter.
On offense, Karns City had 13 players rush the ball and gained 247 yards.
Union (0-2) was lead by quarterback Matt Gagliano, who was 13-of-24 for 138 yards, two touchdown passes and one interception.
While not being able to move the ball at all in the first half, Union opened the second half with an 11-play, 76-yard drive that ended up with Gagliano hitting Colby Davis for a 5-yard touchdown strike.
But it was far too little, far too late for the Knights.
Conto was able to get a good look at a lot of his younger players in the second half.
When asked about the ability to evaluate players in a game like this Conto said, "It's tough, but you get to see a lot of young guys playing in game-type situations."
