Identity theft
KARNS CITY — Six weeks down and Karns City football coach Ed Conto is still searching for an identity.
Part of the problem has been the loss of two key players on defense, senior linebackers Zach Barney and Brad Francis.
The Gremlins also have been erratic on offense, unable to run the ball consistently, which has put added pressure on senior quarterback Dylan Hipple.
"We've had so many issues this year," Conto said. "We've had so many stinkin' season-ending injuries. But we can't make excuses. Whoever is on the field has to get better and we're starting to do that."
Should Karns City (2-4, 1-1) go into Brookville (5-1, 2-0) and knock off the Raiders at 7 p.m. Friday the Gremlins will be right back where they are used to being at this point of the season: in the playoff hunt.
That may come down to the young replacements at linebacker who have had to grow up on the job.
Juniors Ethan Williams, Brady Ellenberger and Tyler Shreve have had to move up their expected time of arrival as main cogs in the defense by a year.
"They've been thrown into the job," Conto said. "We thought we'd have a year to play them on (junior varsity) and have them learn the position and making the calls. But they haven't backed down. Every game they have gotten better."
Brookville, though, is a formidable foe.
Steve Kennedy is a dual threat at quarterback, passing for 507 yards and three TDs and rushing for 471 yards and seven scores.
Running back Ryan Kerr is averaging 7.2 yards per carry and has scored 10 touchdowns.
But the key to the Raiders, on both offense and defense, is 6-foot-4 senior Jared Heschke.
"He's unbelievable at linebacker," Conto said.
Heschke is averaging nearly 13 tackles per game. On offense as a receiver, he provides a matchup problem with his height, especially against the Gremlins' smallish cornerbacks.
"That guy has to be right there with him," Conto said. "And you have to get pressure on the quarterback, force him to make bad throws."
Little has gone badly for Brookville so far this season. Raiders coach Chris Dworek said he was happy with the way his team rebounded from a 14-12 loss to DuBois with a 57-13 rout of Clarion-Limestone last week.
Dworek said his team is not taking anyone lightly, least of all Karns City.
"We've been stressing that all week," Dworek said. "We respect KC. We know their quarterback (Hipple) is a dangerous athlete. We have to get quick pressure on him."
