KARNS CITY — Playoff football, Thursday style.

Karns City will open Class 3A postseason play on a different day of the week when the Gremlins (8-2) take on Perry Traditional Academy (4-6) at 7 p.m. Thursday in Clarion University’s Memorial Stadium.

“Both schools have Friday off and we wanted to play the game on turf ... We were concerned about the availability of a neutral turf field on Friday,” Karns City coach Ed Conto said.

“This gets the game over with, the kids can relax on Friday and we’re on a turf field. Everything worked out.”

While the Gremlins had last week off, the Commodores advanced with a 38-27 victory at St. Marys. Perry plays in Pittsburgh’s City League.

“We don’t normally do well when we travel that far out of the city,” second-year Perry coach Craig Aguglia said. “And we gave up a touchdown on the kickoff.

“I liked the way our kids held it together and fought back.”

Perry has plenty of speed in its lineup and features a 6-foot-2, 240-pound running back in James Goodwine. A transfer student from a few weeks ago, he has enjoyed a pair of 150-yard rushing games.

Quarterback Doug Johnson has thrown for nearly 1,000 yards and has scored nine touchdowns. Receiver Rasoun Taylor had six catches for 120 yards and a pair of touchdowns last week.

Perry is averaging 15 points per game while giving up 24 per contest.

“We only have around 32 players, but we’re getting the most out of these kids,” Aguglia said. “Our quarterback can play the game and Goodwine has a lot of speed for a big kid.”

Conto said discipline and fundamental tackling will play a big role for his team Thursday.

“It’s going to be hard to read their schemes and where the ball is going,” Conto said. “Our defenders have to stay in their spots and make tackles.

“If someone gets caught out of position, that’s when you give up the big play for a score.”

Running back-defensive back Chandler Turner did not play in the season finale at Clearfield due to injury, but figures to be in the lineup Thursday. His replacement, Aaron Hutchison, was injured early at Clearfield and hopes to return as well.

“We missed those guys in that Clearfield game (35-28 loss),” Conto said.

Turner has rushed for 920 yards and 12 touchdowns and is one of four Karns City backs averaging more than seven yards per carry. Kaiden Powers (521 yards), Cullen Williams (479) and Eric Dodd (397) are the others.

Jimmy Thompson, Dodd, Powers, Williams and Turner have all caught between 10 and 15 passes for the Gremlins.

“Karns City looks to be a deep team that can do a lot of things,” Aguglia said. “We’re going to have to be able to adjust during the game.

“They are very good and we’re looking forward to playing them.”

Top players defensively for the Commodores are linebacker Goodwine, 240-pound tackle Malik Townsend and end Mario Davis.

“I’ve never liked that bye week,” Conto said. “It’s hard for the kids to focus in practice with no opponent to prepare for. You could sense a little fall-off that way. We have to get back to work.”

The winner of Thursday’s game will face the Sharon-Hickory winner in the next round.