Losses can provide better teaching points than wins.

That adage won't soon be forgotten, even if all goes according to plan for Karns City Friday as it welcomes DuBois Area in for Senior Night.

Of course, a home setback suffered earlier this month against Saint Marys would end up being the only blotch on an otherwise perfect regular season for the Gremlins.

Come playoff time, it should only make KC a tougher out.

“Obviously, you want to win every game that you play,” KC coach Joe Sherwin said. “But it's sometimes hard to learn from wins. A loss allows you to learn more about yourself and your weaknesses and what you need to improve on. In that respect, that's where I think it's really benefitted and helped us.”

The main lesson from the defeat to the Dutch four weeks ago, Sherwin explained, was on the defensive side of the ball. Saint Marys' Christian Coudriet picked the Gremlins' secondary apart for 407 yards and five touchdowns.

“The defensive line needed to get a more consistent pass rush,” he said. “Linebackers, we just needed them to get to their spots. DBs the same thing. We just played a little too cautiously.”

On offense, the Gremlins have focused on doing a better job of picking up blitzes. Senior Jayce Anderson, the unit's second-leading rusher, was out for last Friday's 55-8 trouncing of Bradford. He'll be back and suited up this week.

“It'll be good to have him back,” Sherwin said. “I thought Luke Cramer did a nice job in his place.

“Jayce has had a productive season and he'll be back in the mix again.”

Sherwin added that Cramer, who scored two times and rushed for 42 yards against Bradford, will still be part of the rotation in the backfield. The stable, which also features senior Luke Garing (707 yards, 17 TDs), will be key for a team that looks to establish the run.

Sherwin made sure to praise the offensive line —consisting of seniors Aaron Taylor, T.J. Vlassich, Josh Griffiths, Cole Hilliard, and Austin Brown — for the ground game's numbers.

“Nobody really gives them much credit,” he said. “I always point to those guys. They're big contributors.”

Along with the grounding of the Owls, the Gremlins blew out Kane and Ridgway in the two contests prior.

DuBois Area struggled early on, but strung together a five-game win streak before falling to Central Clarion last week.

“DuBois is a good team,” Sherwin said. “They're a quality program and a big school, a lot of players to deal with.”

Sherwin pointed out the Beavers' triggerman, Cam-Ron Hays, who's passed for 561 yards in eight games.

“He has a strong arm,” Sherwin said. “But I think what's most dangerous about him is his scrambling ability.”

The hosts, Sherwin said, will also be cognizant of senior Derraick Burkett, DuBois' leading receiver, who also is an important part of a series of plays that the Beavers run off jet sweeps.

“We've kind of been focusing on being able to stop that,” Sherwin said. “Guys on one side have to be weary of a certain play and if you're on the backside, you have to be weary of what could be coming back at you.”

Sherwin is in his fourth year with the Gremlins. The senior class has helped the team to three straight winning campaigns, including last year's District 9 title.

“We want to represent our seniors well,” Sherwin said. “We want them to go out with a victory.”

The rest of KC's seniors include Anthony Leitem, Isaac Herrero, Mason McNany, Nathan Lessner, Sylier Rothrock, Tyler Wolfe, and Zach Blair.

“This year, they've kind of capped it off with an excellent season,” Sherwin said. “Some of the guys kind of stand out more so than others, but I've got to give credit to every single one of (them). Sometimes, some of them don't necessarily see a lot of playing time, but they still show up to practice and they're still very valuable members of the team.”

DuBois Area coach T.J. Wingard could not be reached for comment.

Knoch (1-5, 2-7) at Highlands (3-3, 6-3)

7 p.m., Friday

Knoch bowed to Hampton at home last week, 30-0. ... Highlands beat Greensburg Salem, 40-20.

The Knights have been blanked in back-to-back clashes. ... Keagan Fraser accounted for most of the team's offense against the undefeated Talbots, rushing for 72 yards on 22 carries. ... The defense will look to bounce back from allowing over 300 yards on the ground.

The Golden Rams have already punched their ticket to the postseason. ... Sophomore Luke Bombalski spearheads the running game, having gone for 1,051 yards on 181 totes.He's totaled 13 scores. ... QB Chandler Thimons (1,084 passing yards, 14 TDs) targets WRs Landan Signorella and Jrake Burford frequently.

Mars (2-4, 2-7) at

Hampton (6-0, 9-0)

7 p.m., Friday

Mars was overwhelmed by Indiana last week, 46-10 ... Hampton had no problem with Knoch, winning 30-0.

Planet sophomore RB Evan Wright, who leads the team with 621 rushing yards and 4 TDs, missed last week's game with injury. It is unknown if he will be available Friday. ... Junior Noah Nesselroad paces Mars in receptions (33), receiving yards (257) and TD catches (2). ... The Planets allowed 466 rushing yards in the loss to Indiana.

A powerful ground game will once again challenge Mars as Hampton's Brock Borgo (1,005 yards) and Christian Liberto (866) have combined for 1,871 yards on the ground. The duo has combined to score 30 total TDs this season.

The Planets defeated the Talbots, 35-13, last season.

Freeport (3-1, 4-4) at Deer Lakes (3-2, 4-5)

7 p.m., Friday

Having a chance to take the driver's seat in the Allegheny Seven Conference, Freeport tripped up at home against North Catholic, 33-7, last week. ... Deer Lakes topped South Allegheny, 27-14.

The result of this contest will help decide whether Freeport hosts a home playoff game. ... Against the Trojans, the Yellowjackets' defense let up its highest point total since the team's opener against Armstrong. ... The team looks to finish out the regular season by winning 4 of its last 5 contests.

With a win, Deer Lakes would end up as the conference runner-up. ... Senior RB Cody Scarantine leads the offense with 790 yards rushing. He averages 5.2 yards a tote. ... The Lancers haven't defeated Freeport in their last 10 tries.

Derry (0-4, 0-8) at

North Catholic (5-0, 9-0)

7 p.m., Friday

Mars Athletic Complex

North clinched the Allegheny Seven Conference title last week with a 33-7 win at Freeport. ... Derry lost to Burrell, 43-13.

Of senior WR Tyler Maziarz's 8 receptions this season, 4 have gone for TDs for North. ... Robbie Kress, Kyle Tipinski and Maziarz each intercepted a pass last week. Kress returned his theft 25 yards for a score.

In 2018, Derry defeated North twice, once in the regular season and again in a WPIAL Class 3A semifinal playoff. ... North defeated Derry last year, 55-7.

Keystone (6-2) at Moniteau (1-7)

7 p.m., Friday

Keystone put away Elk County Catholic, 48-20, last week. ... Moniteau dropped its fourth straight game, giving way to Punxsutawney, 42-13.

The Panthers snapped a 2-game losing skid with the win over the Crusaders. ... Junior RB Kyle Nellis has run for 722 yards and 7 touchdowns. He broke free for a 97-yard jaunt against Port Allegany earlier this season. ... Senior QB Bret Wingard has thrown for 807 yards.

The Warriors have been outscored 135-26 in the past 3 games. ... Junior Matt Martino leads on the ground with 523 yards, while both sophomore QB David Dessicino and junior RB Hunter Stalker have eclipsed 400 yards. ... The team looks to match its win total from last year.

Coudersport (4-4) at

Union/A-C Valley (6-2)

7 p.m., Friday

in Rimersburg

Coudersport evened its record last week with a 6-0 win over Smethport. ... Union/A-C Valley lost to Redbank Valley, 28-6.

The Falcons have passed for just 433 yards and 4 TDs all season. ... They are averaging 180 yards rushing per game, led by sophomore QB Gavyn Ayers' 502 yards and 11 TDs.

Junior DL Landon Chalmers leads Union/ACV with 6 quarterback sacks. ... The Falcon Knights have intercepted 14 passes this season.

The teams last met in 2019 when Coudersport dealt the Falcon Knights a 30-8 defeat.

Shady Side Academy (1-3, 4-5)

at Summit Academy (0-4, 0-9)

12:30 p.m., Saturday

Both teams suffered Allegheny Conference defeats last week, with Shady Side getting edged by Ligonier Valley, 26-25, and Summit falling to Serra Catholic, 46-0.

SSA sophomore LB Isaiah Beckham scored 2 defensive TDs last week — a 45-yard INT return and a 60-yard fumble return. ... Joey Bellinotti scored on an 87-yard kickoff return. Eagle Staff Writer Derek Pyda contributed to this report.