Special Night
CHERRY TWP — During practice this week, Karns City coach Joe Sherwin ran a little contest among his running backs.
Who could throw the best halfback option pass.
One by one, players channelled their inner QB. Eventually, junior Zach Blair won.
When it came time to run that particular play in the game, Blair tossed a perfect 34-yard strike to Kaden Scherer down to the 3.
Two plays later, Brayden Christie hit Micah Rupp for a 2-yard touchdown that put Karns City up 14-0 at Moniteau with just eight seconds left in the first half.
It was a key score. It also got the Gremlins rolling in the second half on the way to a 31-8 victory in the high school football opener (finally) Friday night.
“I never saw that in practice,” Sherwin joked. “In practice about 15, 20 yards is about how far he could throw it.”
All three throwers of the football fared well for Karns City.
Eric Booher was 3-of-6 for 100 yard and a touchdown. He hit Rupp, just a sophomore, on a slant and Rupp did the rest, racing 66 yard for a touchdown that gave Karns City a 31-0 lead late in the third quarter.
Christie also threw a TD to Rupp and also led the Gremlins in rushing with 34 yards on six carries.
“(Booher) has a strong arm. He did a nice job,” Sherwin said. “Brayden is an accurate passer as well. I was pleased with both quarterbacks.”
Sherwin was also pleased with Rupp, who was also a difference-maker on defense for Karns City.
“He's been a big asset to our team,” Sherwin said. “I'm looking forward to see what type of season he has.”
Things started out slowly for both teams offensively.
Special teams struck the first blow for Karns City when Kaden Scherer returned a punt 61 yards for a score.
It was a disastrous night on special teams for Moniteau. In addition to giving up the punt returns, the Warriors had a snap on a punt go over Brady Thompson's head, recovered in the end zone by Karns City's Austin Brown for a score, and had another punt deflect off a blocker.
“Whatever could go wrong did go wrong for us on special teams,” said Monteau coach Bob Rottman. “Punt return for a touchdown, onside kick they recovered, bad snap on a punt — they get a touchdown off of that. Blocked punt off our own guy's butt. It was one of those games.”
Moniteau's defense didn't play poorly, holding Karns City to 296 yards. The Warriors' defense often had short fields.
“I thought our defense played great against the run,” Rottman said. “We matched them physically. They took advantage of our mistakes. I know we are a good football team. I'm looking forward to playing them again.”
Meanwhile, Karns City defense also played well, holding Moniteau to 172 yards.Mason Mershimer was a bright spot for the Warriors, gaining 57 yards on 10 carries and also caught two passes for 35 yards.Brady Thompson relieved David Stamm at quarterback after Stamm couldn't return to the game because of leg cramping and threw for 83 yards and a 31-yard touchdown late to Caden Roxberry.“Mershimer is a ballplayer — he isn't going to quit on you,” Rottman said. “That's the thing. No one quit. Our mental focus might have left us a little bit in the third quarter, but we never lost the effort.”Sherwin was pleased to get a big road win in a season where Karns City will have to play Moniteau again in a few weeks.That one will be at home.The Gremlins also showed they are willing to go all hands on deck.“I thought everyone contributed,” Sherwin said. “Everyone did their part and did their job, and that's what we preach to these guys. I really thought this year we have good depth and I think we showed that tonight.”Karns City 7 7 17 0 — 31Moniteau 0 0 0 8 — 8First QuarterKC — Kaden Scherer 61 punt return (Owen Collwell kick), 7:37Second QuarterKC — Micah Rupp 2 pass from Brayden Christie (Collwell kick), :08Third QuarterKC — Collwell 26 field goal, 7:55KC — Austin Brown fumble recovery in end zone (Collwell kick), 1:19KC — Rupp 66 pass from Eric Booher (Collwell kick), :02Fourth QuarterM — Caden Roxberry 31 pass from Brady Thompson (J.D. Dessicino run), 1:49Individual StatisticsRushing:Karns City, Brayden Christie 6-34, Gage Cowoski 4-23, Jayce Anderson 5-20, Cole Coon 4-19, Levi Hawk 3-15, Eric Booher 2-7, Luke Garing 3-7, Tyler Wolfe 1-5, Zach Blair 1-1, Kaden Scherer 2-(-1), Nate Garing 1-(1-), Moniteau, Mason Mershimer 10-57, Chaz McGuire 5-17, J.D. Dessicino 8-11, David Stamm 7-(-5), Brady Thompson 3-(-5), TEAM 1-(-13)Passing:Karns City, Eric Booher 3-6-100-0, Brayden Christie 3-6-33-0, Zach Blair 1-1-34-0. Moniteau, Brady Thompson 7-16-83-1, David Stamm 1-2-4-0, J.D. Dessicino 1-1-23-0Receiving:Karns City, Micah Rupp 2-68, Kaden Scherer 2-47, Gage Cowoski 1-39, Luke Garing 1-13. Moniteau, Mason Mershimer 2-35, Caden Roxberry 2-35, Cooper Boozel 2-26, Chaz McGuire 2-14, J.D. Dessicino 1-0
