KARNS CITY — It was the first time this season Karns City's football team trailed on the scoreboard.

It didn't last long.

The Gremlins piled up more than 400 yards on offense and after an early letdown defensively, put the clamps on Central Clarion in a 37-13 District 9 Large School Division victory Friday night at Diehl Stadium.

KC (2-0, 3-0) was put on its heels early when Central Clarion's Breckin Rex rumbled 69 yards for a touchdown less than four minutes into the game.

“We were in position to make the play, but had a couple missed tackles,” said Karns City coach Joe Sherwin. “They ran that play several more times in the game and we were able to shut it down.”

The Gremlins began making up for the defensive lapse on the ensuing drive.

Luke Garing and Zach Blair both picked up crucial gains on the ground before quarterback Eric Booher connected with Nate Garing for a 35-yard scoring pass. Zach Kelly's extra point gave the Gremlins the lead for good, 7-6, with 3:14 left in the first quarter.

Booher completed five of his six pass attempts for 91 yards.

“He became our (full-time) quarterback about midway through last season and has continued to progress,” Sherwin said. “Sometimes, he gets really amped up at the start of the game, but is able to settle down.”

Booher did not have junior receiver Micah Rupp to throw to. The latter did not play, but Nate Garing and Cooper Coyle both hauled in scoring passes Friday.

Coyle's 14-yard scoring reception put the Gremlins up 28-6 shortly before halftime. The drive was set up by Nate Garing's interception of a Jase Ferguson pass near midfield.

“Those guys have a lot of talent,” Booher said of his receivers. “I'm excited any time I get to throw the ball and just want to make plays to help us win.”

The Gremlins rushed for 311 yards, with senior Luke Garing chewing up 131 yards on just 16 carries. He scored a rushing touchdown while teammate Jayce Anderson added 64 yards and two scores.

“We weren't even sure he'd be able to play,” Sherwin said of Luke Garing. “He was dealing with an ankle injury earlier in the week, but he's a beast in there.”

After its opening score, Central Clarion (0-1, 0-2) hit a wall. Besides Rex's long scoring run, the Wildcats tallied just five offensive yards in the first half — and that's not counting a 14-yard loss on a bad snap on a punt late in the first quarter.

“We just made mistakes,” said Wildcat coach Dave Eggleton. “We know Karns City isn't going to make a lot of them. So any mistakes we do make are going to be compounded against a team like that.”

The Gremlins play at rival Moniteau next Friday.

Central Clarion 6 0 0 7 — 13

Karns City 7 21 0 9 — 37

First Quarter

CC — Breckin Rex 69 run (kick failed), 8:33

KC — Nate Garing 35 pass from Eric Booher (Zach Kelly), 3:14

Second Quarter

KC — Jayce Anderson 8 run (Luke Garing run), 11:54

KC — Luke Garing 2 run (Kelly kick), 5:55

KC — Cooper Coyle 14 pass from Booher (kick failed), 1:09

Fourth Quarter

KC — Safety, Nathan Lessner tackled Jase Ferguson in end zone, 8:28

KC — Anderson 1 run (Kelly kick), 4:27

CC — Ryan Hummell 27 run (Charlie Franchino kick), 3:59

Individual Statistics

Rushing: Central Clarion, Breckin Rex 5-100, Noah Naser 2-12, Jase Ferguson 7-(-35), Ashton Rex 2-(-12), Ryan Hummell 2-28. Karns City, Jayce Anderson 15-64, Eric Booher 7-8, Luke Garing 16-131, Zach Blair 6-33, Nate Garing 3-8, Cooper Coyle 1-18, Levi Hawk 4-16, Zach Kelly 1-(-5), Jerry Kummer 1-9, Callen Robinson 2-24, Zane Everetts 1-5.

Passing: Central Clarion, Jase Ferguson 4-14-66-1. Karns City, Eric Booher 5-6-91-0.

Receiving: Central Clarion, Tommy Smith 1-9, Ashton Rex 2-48, Ryan Hummell 1-9. Karns City, Nate Garing 1-35, Isaac Herrero 2-15, Cooper Coyle 1-14, Jayce Anderson 1-27.