Doubling Up At Districts
KARNS CITY — Playing two sports at the same time means practicing twice as hard.
In the cases of Kaden Scherer, Owen Collwell and Matt Griffiths, it also means winning twice as much.
The Karns City seniors have played on the Gremlins' boys soccer and football teams this fall. And they received District 9 championship medals.
Twice.
KC won the district title in both sports this season. The football team finished 6-3. The soccer team is 12-1-1 entering Tuesday night's PIAA Tournament game against Bedford at Diehl Stadium.
“They were part of district championship wins only three days apart,” KC football coach Joe Sherwin said. “What these kids did was admirable. It takes a lot of dedication.“They've really got something to be proud of.”KC boys soccer coach Jim Grenninger said he began getting football players on his soccer team in 2017. This is the first year both teams have won district crowns since that time.“Kaden Scherer and Brayden Christie played both in 2017,” Grenninger said. “Clay Garing and Jacob Friel played both as well.“Brayden wanted to concentrate on football this year since he was going to play quarterback, so he gave up soccer.”Scherer gave up football his sophomore year to concentrate on soccer.“I went to the (football) games that year and missed playing so much,” Scherer said. “Yeah, it takes a lot, but I love doing both. I had to go back.”“It's been well worth it,” Griffiths said.
Griffiths is an offensive back and defensive end in football, a defender in soccer. Scherer is a receiver-cornerback in football, a center back in soccer. Collwell is the kicker on the football team, a midfielder in soccer.Collwell booted the game-winning field goal in the district championship football win over Brookville. He's scored 20 goals for the soccer team.“It's definitely different kicking in the two sports,” Collwell said. “Obviously, the balls are different shapes. One is harder, one is softer.“But being a kicker, my (football) practice time isn't as grueling as the others.”But the schedule is just as rigorous.Karns City held football practice from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The boys soccer team practiced from 7 to 9 p.m.On soccer game days, KC home games wouldn't start until 6 or 7 p.m.“There were weeks these guys would play two or three soccer games, plus a football game on Friday nights, around all those practices,” Sherwin said.“(Athletic director) Josh Williams, Jim Grenninger and myself did a better job this year of coordinating everything schedule-wise. We really didn't have any issues.“These boys know how to take care of their bodies. They get the proper amount of sleep and nutrition,” Sherwin added.But they felt it, nonetheless.Grenninger admitted that the trio “barely had time to run home, grab a bite to eat and change into their soccer gear” after football practice.“I get home some nights, I don't even feel like taking a shower,” Collwell admitted.“I rest when I can, go see the trainer during a break at school to make sure I'm doing what I should be doing,” Scherer said. “I'm so used to doing this, though, because I've done it for so long.“It's routine, but, yeah, you get tired.”Collwell and Griffiths got injured as well.Collwell broke his hand in the first soccer game of the season against Slippery Rock. Griffiths broke a wrist during football practice early in the year. Both returned to action wearing casts.Grenninger appreciates the efforts of the double-sport trio.“These are tough kids. They've had a tremendous impact on our team,” the soccer coach said. “Kaden Scherer is probably the best athlete in the school right now. His speed brought a lot to both teams.“Kaden and Owen will make all-league in football as well as soccer. All of these kids are motivated, talented athletes.”And winning athletes.“We've developed great relationships with players and coaches on both of these teams,” Griffiths said. “The experience has been rewarding.”Scherer hopes to play soccer or football in college. Collwell is looking at a soccer career at either Thiel or Westminster. Griffiths is not planning to play a sport in college.None of them regret investing their time and bodies into two sports at the same time,“We were confident we could win (district titles) with both teams,” Scherer said. “Yeah, it takes its toll, but this is our only chance to do this. So why not?”
