KARNS CITY — Justin Ryan doesn’t need to be reminded of Karns City’s strong tradition in boys soccer.

He’s been part of it as a player and assistant coach and is now looking to add to it as head coach of the Gremlins.

The 2012 KC graduate, a center midfielder in his playing days, took over the program in May after the resignation of longtime coach Jim Grenninger.

The Gremlins, who have just two seniors in defenders Mallick Metcalfe and Seth Bishop, improved to 4-2 on the season with an 11-0 win over visiting Keystone on Wednesday.

“With just two seniors, we have some players with less experience on the field,” said Ryan, who was an assistant coach at KC last year. “But we have some juniors who aren’t afraid to get vocal in practice, tell other players what they need to do.

“We have a strong group here and we are building toward being as strong as Karns City’s been in the past.”

The recent past has been very good for the Gremlins. They won the last two District 9 Class 2A titles — the program has seven crowns overall — and this season’s group is not short on confidence.

“I think we can go all the way,” said Bishop. “We lost Cole Sherwin from last year’s team. He was a really good center-back, but the defense has looked good and our strikers are playing well.”

Myles McCully, Jacob Callihan, Lathan Price and Colson Ritzert are leaders for KC on offense. Lucas Yasika brings experience to the net after being the starting goalkeeper in 2021.

Scoring for the Gremlins in Wednesday’s win were Landon Wilson (2), Hobie Bartoe, Blake McCully, Alexander Williams, Noah Mourer, Carter Ritzert, Colson Ritzert, Callihan, Bishop and Metcalfe.

High expectations come with the territory of playing for the Gremlins, who have won 23 District 9 titles since the berth of the program in the mid-1990s.

After losing its first two games this season, KC won for the sixth straight time Wednesday.

“From our defense to the midfielders to the forwards, we’re coming along,” said Gremlins’ coach Tracy Dailey. “We’re moving the ball around well. We have nine freshman and they’re learning while playing. I’m excited to see them gaining confidence.”

Scoring opportunities often result in goals thanks in large part to the play of Emma Dailey, Lyrik Reed, McKenna Martin and CeCe Morrow.

Paige Dodd, Ava Kamenski, Addie Christie and Shali Slater form a strong back line, though the Gremlins had to replace star goalie Rossi McMillen, who was lost to graduation.

Savanna Prescott and Taylour King, a pair of sophomores, have split time in net this season. They both played Wednesday.

“We’re confident in them, but they need to be confident in themselves,” Tracy Dailey said. “They’re both athletic and tall and have gotten a lot of 1-on-1 work in with Tyler (Pollock, goalie coach).”

Martin led the scoring against Keystone with a hat trick while Emma Dailey and Christie both scored twice.

Scoring one goal apiece were Dodd, Slater, Morrow, Avah Burke, Hanna Dailey and Taylor Miller.