KARNS CITY — It will be a battle pitting the unstoppable force vs. the immovable object.

And that's what concerns Karns City football coach Ed Conto when his Gremlins (6-0) host Clarion (5-1) in a pivotal Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference matchup at 7 p.m. Friday.

So far, the Karns City defense has been stout. But the Gremlins haven't faced a team like Clarion this season.

The Bobcats like to run the football — a stark contrast to what the Gremlins have seen from their pass-happy opponents in the first six games.

"This is the first time we have faced a team under center since our two scrimmages," Conto said. "That's a concern, because everything (we've seen) has been smoke and mirrors, or whatever you want to call it. Now we have to get back into that mode where they are big and they come off the ball and hit."

Clarion (5-1) rushed for 563 yards against overmatched Union last week.

Bubba Rue, a 6-foot-1, 212 pound senior battering ram, leads the Bobcats' ground game with 643 yards on 74 carries.

Four other backs have gained at least 100 yards for Clarion, and a fifth has rushed for 99 yards in limited action.

As a team, the Bobcats have been an unstoppable force and have rolled up nearly 300 rushing yards a game.

But Karns City's defense has been about as immovable as they come, yielding a mere 30 yards rushing a game.

"Normally, we do well against teams like that, but we haven't played any this year," Conto said. "We have to simulate that in practice this week. It's going to be more of a physical game."

But Conto is well aware of Clarion's penchant for trickery. Rue has thrown seven halfback passes, completing two — both to quarterback Dan Walters.

Clarion also uses slip and jailbreak screens to slow opposing defenses that like to attack — like Karns City.

"With their little twists — speed screens and quarterback throwbacks — we have to be physical, but we can't lose that sense of focus."

Karns City has done some of the same things.

Fullback Aaron Markle has thrown two touchdown passes to Joe Fallecker in back-to-back weeks off toss plays.

In a more traditional offense, Markle has been just as dangerous, bulldozing his way to 563 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Throw in a competent passing game with junior quarterback Dylan Hipple and it's no wonder the Gremlins are averaging 43 points in the last three games.

The offensive line and the blocking backs have opened huge holes for the running game and protected Hipple.

"Last year, our line had better physical skills, but they were making more mental mistakes," Conto said. "They are doing a lot better job not having mental lapses."

The fullback rotation of Jake Wagner, J.R. Yough and Craig Slomers also has helped the running game.

Those three have been dangerous carrying the football, too, Wagner in particular. The senior has 221 yards and three touchdowns despite a nagging shoulder injury.

Clarion also has a stable of running backs and a physical line. The Bobcats have been shuffling quarterbacks as well. Walters is the starter, but Brandon Heeter has seen time under center.

"I think it's at the point where they both deserve to be on the football field," Wiser told d9sports.com. "Danny Walters had probably one of the best games in that first game (at Moniteau). After Brandon's game last week, he deserves to be on the football field. Each of them offers us something different in the offense. We will try to specialize to the things they are each better at doing."