Karns City comes close, but falls to Aliquippa, 27-17
BEAVER FALLS — Karns City doesn’t put much stock in moral victories.
The Gremlins’ football team wanted a real one against WPIAL champion Aliquippa in the PIAA Class AA quarterfinals at Reeves Field on the campus of Geneva College Friday night.
They felt like they could do it.
“We believed we could win,” said Karns City coach Ed Conto.
For three-plus quarters, it appeared that belief — and a swarming, physical defense — was going to be enough as the Gremlins led 11-8 with 10 minutes remaining in the game.
But Aliquippa rolled off 19-straight points and Karns City had to settle for that bitter moral victory in a 27-17 loss.
“We left a mark on this field tonight,” said Karns City senior fullback/linebacker Maverick Kelsea. “We gave them their toughest competition of the year. We hit them the hardest. I can guarantee that.
“If we would have won this game, we would have shocked the state. We came close ... it hurts.”
Turnovers hurt both teams, but Karns City in particular.
The Gremlins (12-1) were picked off four times, one ending a drive inside the Aliquippa 20 and another returned 50 yards for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter that gave the Quips a 27-11 lead and all but sealed the game.
“It was a great football game, but we made the turnovers,” Conto said. “You can’t make the turnovers.”
