KARNS CITY — A confluence of feelings accompanied Karns City’s 35-14 road win over Ridgway last week.

Confidence would come with a second consecutive away victory, this time against Saint Marys (3-0) Friday night.

“Things didn’t go so well the first couple weeks,” Gremlins (1-2) coach Joe Sherwin said. “We got a little momentum last week. I think it’s going to be really important to keep it rolling this week. We’re playing against a good, quality team that’s undefeated.”

One that also might have District 9’s premier ground-gainer, the Flying Dutchmen’s Matthew Davis, who’s gone for 711 yards and 10 scores on 68 gives.

“No. 5 (Davis) stands out,” Sherwin said. “He’s the guy that gets the ball most of the time. ... 200 and some yards a game. We’ve really been focusing on just making sure we’re in our gaps, making sure we’re taking proper pursuit angles.

“Our No. 1 priority is we’ve got to be able to stop that run game with No. 5.”

A motivated Karns City defense kept the Elkers under the century mark on the ground last week. Senior Taite Beighley had a pair of picks, too.

Owen Heginbotham, Luke Cramer, and Mason Bell have all recorded 20 tackles to this point.

“I think it brought out a lot of emotions in everybody,” Sherwin said of the winning effort. “It was just good to see, and I’m glad we were able to come out on the right end.”

Of course, injured teammate Mason Martin remains on the team’s mind.

“Obviously, our thoughts and prayers are still with Mason and his family,” Sherwin said. “We’ll just continue to go on and play because we feel that’s what he and the family would want us to do. So, we want to honor them in that and go out and do the best job we can.”

The focus in preparation has returned for the Gremlins as they open their conference slate.

“I think we’ve had a good week of practice so far,” Sherwin added. “Last week, it was just a rough, rough week for us. With everything that was going on. There was a heat advisory, as well. ... We just weren’t able to focus as much as what we’d like.

“We’re kind of a little bit more back to normal this week.”

Freshman quarterback Cole Johnston got his first start against Ridgway, passing for 79 yards, 35 of which came via an air strike to Shane Peters in the second quarter.

“He did some good things,” Sherwin said of his young signal-caller. “He has a lot of room for growth there, and I think that’s just going to continue with him being so young. We’re just going to try to fix up a few things each week and have him progress as the season goes on.”

Sherwin was impressed with a grab that Beighley (10 catches, 143 yards on the season) had in double coverage against the Elkers, while Hunter Scherer’s impact was felt on special teams with an 80-yard kick return to open the game.

Scherer also leads the Gremlins with 27 carries for 195 yards. Luke Cramer has totaled 109 yards on 26 totes.

Sophomore Cameron Coudriet has gone 16-of-31 for 234 yards, a touchdown, and a pick through the air for the Dutch. Junior Ben Reynolds paces the group in receiving with five grabs, 102 yards, and a score.

On defense, Davis has a team-high 39 takedowns, including 10 for a loss.

Saint Marys coach Chris Dworek was unavailable for comment.

Pine-Richland (1-2)

at Seneca Valley (0-3)

7 p.m., Friday

Pine-Richland suffered a 26-20 loss to Penn Hills last week; SV fell, 38-0, at Canon-McMillan.

P-R running back Ethan Pillar rushed for 127 yards and a TD on 32 carries last week. ... The Rams are defending Class 5A WPIAL and PIAA champions.

SV quarterback Sean O'Shea has completed 25 of 60 passes for 267 yards, one TD and three INTs. ... The Raiders have been outscored the last two weeks 86-7.

SV scored a 13-3 win over Pine-Richland last year.

Highlands (3-0)

at North Catholic (1-2)

J.C. Stone Field

7 p.m., Friday

Highlands remained undefeated last week with a 35-15 win against Chartiers Valley; North Catholic lost, 33-7, at Aliquippa.

Highlands is powered by a very effective ground game, with Luke Bombalski and Aaran Randolph combining for nearly 800 yards and 12 TDs so far. ... The Golden Rams have outscored their three opponents 113-43.

North QB Jason Siket has passed for 318 yards, five TDs and four INTs. His top target is junior TE Brady O'Hara, who has seven catches for 149 yards and a TD.

Highlands beat North Catholic last year, 17-7.

Brockway (3-0) at

Union/A-C Valley (1-2)

in Rimersburg

7 p.m., Friday

Brockway won at home last week, 49-6 over Coudersport; Union/A-C Valley was shut out by visiting Central Clarion, 72-0.

Jendy Cuello is Brockway's workhorse in the running game with 378 yards and four TDs through three games. ... The Rovers have intercepted six passes thus far, with freshman Madox Decker and junior Blake Pisarcik both grabbing two.

Senior WR Trey Fleming leads the Falcon Knights in receptions (16), receiving yards (190) and receiving TDs (2). He also has three INTs to lead the defense.

The Falcon Knights defeated Brockway 26-20 last year.

Slippery Rock (1-2) at

Sharpsville (3-0)

in West Middlesex

7 p.m., Friday

The Rockets got in the win column by besting Greenville, 14-7, last Saturday night; Sharpsville dominated Reynolds, 62-20, last Thursday.

Senior Sam Schwartz was key in Slippery Rock’s Region 3 triumph, reeling in a 2-yard score from Eli Anderson 2 seconds before the midway point, then returning a pick 55 yards to provide the difference. ... Schwartz also paced the Rockets with 61 receiving yards on 7 grabs.

Sharpsville has put up 49, 71, and 62 points in wins over Wilmington, Titusville, and Reynolds, respectively. ... Sharpsville and West Middlesex have a co-op.

The Blue Devils handed Slippery Rock its first defeat a season ago, downing the Rockets, 28-14.

Armstrong (2-1) at

Freeport (2-1)

7 p.m., Friday

The Yellowjackets put away Quaker Valley, 38-6, on the road last Friday; Armstrong got past New Castle, 49-19.

Freeport has outscored its last two opponents, 85-6. ... The Yellowjackets feature seniors Colton Otterman and Justin Jack on the ground.

Armstrong fields sophomore Colt Sprankle at QB. To this point, he’s gone 25-of-47 for 450 yards and 7 TDs. ... Senior Alex Patton has accounted for 268 rushing yards and 3 TDs. ... Kyan Kline has 23 total tackles thus far.

The River Hawks gave Freeport its only regular season loss last year — a 49-7 result on Sept. 16.

Brookville (1-2) at

Moniteau (1-2)

7 p.m., Friday

The Warriors were on the wrong side of a 40-26 outcome against Cameron County last Friday; Brookville downed Keystone, 42-20.

Moniteau has a newfound air game, led by junior Trent Beachem. ... Beachem has thrown for 356 yards and 7 scores. ... Ashton Grossman has 4 catches for 132 yards and 2 scores, while Logan Campbell has totaled 114 yards and just as many TDs on 8 grabs.

Easton Belfiore stepped in at QB for the Raiders after senior starter Charlie Krug went down last week. It is not known who will start Friday. ... Krug (19 carries, 60 yards) led the team in rushing through the first 2 weeks. ... Jack Pete averaged 24.4 yards per grab in that same span.

Brookville won a hard-fought, 7-0 battle in last year’s meeting between these teams.

Summit Academy (0-3) at

Rochester (2-0)

7 p.m., Friday

The Knights fell short to Springdale in their home opener last Saturday, 35-21; Rochester beat New Brighton, 42-6, at home.

Summit Academy has been outscored by double digits in each of their initial 3 outings this go-round. ... The Knights’ offense put up at least 20 points for the second straight time, however.

The Rams have outscored their first 2 opponents, 78-12. ... They’re opening conference play with this matchup.

Rochester beat the Knights, 58-20, last year.