KARNS CITY — Ed Conto sat on a couch in the Karns City High football coaches room, leaned back and sighed.

“We have a heart issue. It's that simple,” Conto said.

They also had a Wilmington issue.

The Greyhounds jumped out to a 21-0 halftime lead and withstood a second-half Karns City rally that cut the lead to nine in the fourth quarter for a 41-12 win Friday night.

The Gremlins scored two quick touchdowns within a three-minute span in the second half on a 1-yard run by Glenn Toy and a 14-yard pass from Brady Ellenberger to Ethan Williams to close to 21-12.

It was shortlived. Ryan Crawford took the kickoff after the second Karns City score and scooted right up the middle of the field for a 92-yard return.

After that, the Gremlins weren't the same.

“As soon as something bad happens right now, we're putting our heads down,” Conto said. “That's what's costing us. If we fix that, we'll be a pretty good football team.”

Things didn't start out well for the Gremlins (1-2), who were outgained by Wilmington 132-1 in the first quarter and trailed 14-0.

Wilmington quarterback Josh Tekac had a big first half, scoring on a 9-yard run and tossing a 43-yard touchdown pass to tight end Don Watson on a perfectly executed play-action pass to get the Greyhounds (3-0) rolling.

Crawford scored on a 71-yard run midway through the second quarter to give Wilmington a three-touchdown lead at the half.

Karns City, though, battled back.

A defensive stand that resulted in a missed field goal by Wilmington led to a 20-play, 80-yard scoring drive by Karns City that was capped by Toy's short TD run.

Crawford then fumbled the ensuing kickoff to set the Gremlins up for their second score.

“I think we just tried to shoot ourselves in the foot about a dozen times,” said Wilmington coach Terry Verrelli. “That's the stuff we have to go work on.”

Crawford though, responded to his lost fumble with the biggest play of the game for the Greyhounds on his kickoff return.

“I think it was major for him,” Verrelli said. “I was glad to see that because I know he was disappointed in fumbling the football.”

Crawford finished with 107 yards rushing. His cohort in the backfield, Anthony Derrick, added 106 yards on 12 carries and two scores of his own.

After the slow start, the Karns City offense performed well.

The quarterback rotation of Ellenberger, a senior, and sophomore Tyler Kepple combined for 125 yards passing.

Both ran the offense efficiently.

“Both kids are smart kids,” Conto said. “They are watching each other and learning. One's young and makes mistakes because he hasn't seen it, but he's sitting back, he's smart and he learns. He's gonna be a good quarterback. The other is experienced, he doesn't get rattled, he's just not as athletic.

“Quarterback's not the problem,” Conto added.

Running the ball was against the Greyhounds.

Toy managed 72 yards on 13 carries, but the other Karns City runners managed just three yards on 26 attempts.

What bothered Conto most, however, wasn't what happened physically.

“We just have to get back to work on Monday,” Conto said.