Gremlins looking to purge mistakes

By Mike Kilroy Eagle Staff Writer

September 16, 2010 Last Updated: September 16, 2010 03:59 PM High School

KARNS CITY — Ed Conto and his Karns City football coaching staff are rolling up their sleeves.

It's back to basics for the Gremlins this week as they travel to New Wilmington to take on District 10 power Wilmington at 7 p.m. Friday.

"We're simplifying things," Conto said. "We're starting over."

The last two weeks were evidence enough for Conto to go back to the drawing board.

Karns City (1-1) needed a 90-yard touchdown drive in the final two minutes against Moniteau to pull out a win in Week 1. Last week at home against Redbank Valley was a disaster in a 28-14 loss that wasn't even that close.

Redbank led 21-0 at one point.

"They scored four touchdowns that if we were playing our defense correctly, they wouldn't have scored," Conto said. "We either had the wrong defense, the wrong coverage. We didn't adjust to stuff we normally do without even thinking about it. As a coaching staff we need to simplify things and go week by week."

Wilmington isn't the best opponent to face when trying to rebound.

Senior running back Sutton Whiting has gashed opponents, averaging well over 10 yards per carry. He's already scored on runs of 36, 50 and 65 in 2010.

Karns City is also looking to solve its problems with the quarterback-center exchange.

Quarterback Dylan Hipple and center Zach Kepple struggled against Redbank Valley. Conto counted 11 bobbled snaps and three fumbles that produced no gains or losses.

"Zach is a good center," Conto said. "We have to fix it, and we will. What was happening was both guys were trying to adjust to the other guy."

Karns City received another blow early against Redbank when linebacker Zach Barney left with a shoulder injury.

Barney, one of the few experienced linebackers for the Gremlins, had 16 tackles in the opener against Moniteau. Conto said there is no timetable for Barney's return.

Conto, though, relishes the chance to fix what ails the Gremlins.

"This is what it's all about," Conto said. "Figuring out what is going wrong and fixing it."

The coaches: Valley, Troy Hill, 7th year; Knoch, Mike King, 11th year (46-64)Last week: Valley lost to Latrobe, 27-0; Knoch shut out Albert Gallatin, 52-0The numbers: Knoch RB Andrew Rumburg-Goodlin has 268 yards rushing and 8 TDs through two games. Backfield mate Adam Tuzikow has 211 yards rushing and 2 TDs. ... Valley has allowed 438 yards passing.Notes: Knoch has yet to suffer a turnover. ... Valley began the season with 22 players.

The coaches: DuBois, Jason Shilala; Slippery Rock, Brendan HathawayLast week: DuBois lost to Oil City 35-21; Slippery Rock fell short against Franklin 35-31The numbers: DuBois QB Sean Sleigh has recorded three interceptions with a completion percentage in the 30s. ... Slippery Rock QB Ryan Currie has been electrifying, rushing for 143 yards in the first two weeks, including 119 last week against Franklin.Notes: DuBois joined District 10 this season after spending many years in District 9. This is the first meeting between the two schools.

The coaches: Clarion, Judd Allan; Union, Dave LouderLast week: Clarion lost to Moniteau, 14-6; Union dropped a 44-16 decision to SaegertownThe numbers: Dylan Walters accounted for the Bobcats' lone score against the Warriors, a 1-yarder in the fourth quarter that made it a one-score game. ... Union allowed 492 yards against Saegertown.Notes: Allan is in his first season with the Bobcats, replacing Larry Wiser, who retired after 22 seasons with Clarion.

The coaches: Redbank Valley, Frank Fabian; A-C Valley, Chris McNanyLast week: Redbank Valley beat Karns City 28-14 while A-C Valley fell to Punxsutawney 62-0The numbers: Redbank Valley quarterback Brandon Bain threw for 88 yards and two touchdowns last week. ... The A-C Valley offense gained only 11 yards against a much bigger Punxsutawney squad.Notes: Fabian is in his first season as head coach of the Bulldogs, who defeated Karns City last week for the first time since 2004.

The coaches: Franklin, Dave Smith; Grove City, Jeff BellLast week: Franklin outlasted Slippery Rock 35-31; Grove City clamped down on Corry 27-9.The numbers: The Franklin offense is potent, averaging 41.5 points and 431.5 yards; Grove City's defense is stingy, giving up 7.5 points and 224 yards per game.Notes: Grove City routed Franklin 63-0 last season, but the Knights already have scored more points than they did all of last season and already have doubled their win total. Franklin was 1-9 and scored just 50 points in 2009.

The coaches: Apollo-Ridge, John Simon; Summit Academy, Steve Sherer (26-57)Last week: Apollo-Ridge lost to Washington, 41-25; Summit Academy lost to South Fayette, 50-22The numbers: Last Saturday, Vikings QB Josh Zelonka passed for four touchdowns to four different receivers: Steve Babyak, Kyler Martin, Shane Wingard and Eean Smith. ... RB Dashawn Whitaker led the Knights with 67 yards on three carries.Notes: Summit Academy had come off an impressive 34-8 win over Schenley in Week 1. ... The Knights tallied two of their touchdowns against the Lions last week in the fourth quarter to close out the scoring.