CLARION — Doug Rodgers and Mike Stimac were all-county players and key contributors to Karns City High School football lore.

Now they’re looking to create student success at Clarion-Limestone, a school they once competed against every year.

Stimac, a 2004 Karns City graduate who had 127 tackles as a linebacker his senior year, is in his first year as principal of Clarion-Limestone High School.

Rodgers, a 1998 KC grad who passed for 1,370 yards and 20 touchdowns as quarterback his senior year with the Gremlins, is assistant principal at C-L. He also serves as athletic director and varsity girls basketball coach.

“The principal’s job came open while I was here, but I didn’t have interest in applying,” Rodgers said. “I wouldn’t have the same interaction I have with the kids that I have in my current position.

“I enjoy working with kids. That’s why I went into education.”

Rodgers had been a teacher in the Pittsburgh city schools system before coming to C-L. Stimac was an English teacher at Oil City.

The two never knew each other until they became co-workers.

“I was actually one of the persons who interviewed Mike when he applied for principal,” Rodgers said. “I said, ‘oh, you’re are a Karns City grad ... small world.’”

While Rodgers is heavily involved in sports at C-L, also serving as athletic director and varsity girls basketball coach, Stimac is strictly a principal.

But he credits his athletic experience at Karns City for getting him there.

“I learned how to be a leader through playing football and being part of a team,” Stimac said. “I ran track, and played baseball, too. I learned from coaches and teachers I had there ... They made me want to enter this field.”

Stimac did coach track and field and helped out in football while at Oil City. He coached Ben Koyack, now a senior tight end at Notre Dame.

“That was pretty cool, knowing I had a small part in helping him get there,” Stimac admitted.

C-L lost the District 9 Class AA girls basketball championship game to Karns City last weekend. Rodgers coached against his alma mater while Stimac looked on.

Neither really knew any of the players on the Gremlins roster, however.

“Pat Preston was my third grade teacher and a neighbor when I was growing up,” Stimac said. “Now I’m watching his daughter (Shanel) play against us. That’s a little weird.”

Rodgers serving as coach of the Lion’ girls basketball team might be weirder yet.

“I’ve stepped in wherever I’m needed here,” Rodgers said. “I’ve coached volleyball, track, football, now it’s my third year as girls basketball coach.

“It’s tough finding people to take these positions. Sometimes, nobody wants to do it, so I step in. But it’s fun.”

This season, Rodgers led C-L to its first girls basketball district title game and state tournament appearance in 20 years. The Lions (16-9) play Burrell Friday night.

“This is the bonus round,” Rodgers said. “We’re just going to enjoy this. The girls have earned it.

“We’re only two kids above enrollment to be a Class A school and this group accomplished what they did this year while playing against much bigger schools. Next year, we’ll be back to Class A.”

Rodgers’ performance as coach isn’t lost on Stimac.

“Doug’s done a great job,” he said. “The girls respect him a great deal and he demands a lot from them. They respond because they believe in him.”

After leaving Karns City, Stimac went on to a productive career as a linebacker at Thiel College. Rodgers walked on as a quarterback at Pitt, transferred to Waynesburg and had his playing career curtailed by a knee injury.

Both are happy with their present location.

“After teaching for five years, I wanted to pursue administration and the C-L job came open,” Stimac said. “It’s a good fit for me.”

“Helping kids is what I want to do,” Rodgers said. “I’ve been able to help them in sports and in the school. I love what I’m doing.”