After suffering through a 4-6 record last season, Karns City coach Ed Conto believed his squad could rebound and become a major player in the District 9 playoffs.

Friday, the Gremlins (8-3) find themselves in the Class AA championship game against Moniteau.

Kickoff at Clarion University's Memorial Stadium is set for 7 p.m.

“I felt like we could do it,” Conto said. “I thought that if we could improve and hang tough against teams like Hickory and Wilmington, it would build enough confidence and character.”

The season opened against the Warriors (10-0), who went on to the KSAC title. Moniteau came away with a 26-24 victory.

Moniteau outgained Karns City 391-357 and suffered four turnovers to the Gremlins' three. But it was one Gremlins turnover that Conto feels was the difference in the game.

“We played a very good first half,” recalled Conto. “(Moniteau) blitzed, caused a fumble and we went into the tank.

“Hopefully, through the course of the year, we got better picking up the blitz and not getting shattered against good teams,” Conto added.

The Warriors, however, still boast strong efforts on both sides of the ball.

Senior quarterback Kyle Armagost has completed 80 of 151 passes for 1,643 yards, 19 touchdowns and nine interceptions. On the ground, he's added 950 yards on 152 carries and 16 touchdowns.

“Against Brookville (a 40-25 semifinal win last week), they have an explosive quarterback (Steve Kennedy) who's very fast,” said Conto. “Kyle is fast, but more explosive. He's got moves, but he'll run you over.

“Give him credit for his strength. The first couple of times you hit Kyle, he'll get 4 or 5 more yards. You can't let that happen,” Conto added.

Besides Armagost, Dustin Geagan leads the team with 1,311 yards on 148 carries and 15 touchdowns.

“You can't give him a big hole,” Conto said. “You have to make him earn it. If he gets a hole and gets past the linebackers, he's gone. Stopping him is easier said than done.”

Armagost's top targets are Ethan Pry (35 catches, 787 yards, 9 TDs), Joey Deal (22-252-4) and Brayden McCorry (12-234-6).

The Warriors are coming off a 40-0 victory over Sheffield in their semifinal contest and the defense has continued its strong play.

Deal has 25 sacks, three fumbles recovered and is averaging 7.7 tackles per game, while Andrew Armagost has 17 sacks and a team-high 12.7 tackles per game.

Kyle Armagost is averaging nine tackles per contest and has three interceptions, while Pry has four interceptions.

In the past four games, Moniteau has recorded two shutouts — the other a 42-0 triumph over Keystone — and has surrendered just 14 points.

Moniteau has not allowed more than two touchdowns the past six games.

“Moniteau played some better teams earlier in the year, but obviously, they're doing something right,” Conto said.

“They've got great stats, they're blowing by everyone. They're the KSAC champions and they've gone undefeated. They've earned it.”

The Moniteau football preview will be featured in Thursday's edition of the Butler Eagle.