Karns City football ran teams into the ground last year. Meet the leaders of this year’s front who are ready to maul opponents
The Karns City varsity football team practiced on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Karns City varsity football team practiced on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Cole Johnston works on his footwork during a drill during football practice on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Riley Hamilton works on his footwork during a drill during football practice on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Riley Hamilton works on his footwork during a drill during football practice on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Cole Johnston works on his footwork during a drill during football practice on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Cole Johnston works on his footwork during a drill during football practice on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Riley Hamilton works on his footwork during a drill during football practice on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Riley Hamilton works on his footwork during a drill during football practice on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Cole Johnston works on his footwork during a drill during football practice on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Karns City varsity football team practiced on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Karns City varsity football team practiced on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Karns City varsity football team practiced on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Karns City varsity football team practiced on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Karns City varsity football team practiced on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Karns City varsity football team practiced on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Karns City varsity football team practiced on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Karns City varsity football team practiced on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Karns City varsity football team practiced on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Karns City varsity football team practiced on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Karns City varsity football team practiced on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Cole Johnston runs drills during football practice on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Riley Hamilton runs drills during football practice on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Karns City varsity football team practiced on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Karns City varsity football team practiced on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Cole Johnston runs drills during football practice on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Karns City varsity football team practiced on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Karns City varsity football team practiced on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Karns City varsity football team practiced on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Karns City varsity football team practiced on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Hunter Scherer works on his footwork during a drill during football practice on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Hunter Scherer works on his footwork during a drill during football practice on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Karns City varsity football team practiced on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Karns City varsity football team practiced on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Karns City varsity football team practiced on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Karns City varsity football team practiced on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Karns City varsity football team practiced on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Karns City varsity football team practiced on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Karns City varsity football team practiced on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Coach Joe Sherwin watches as players work on form during football practice on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Coach Joe Sherwin watches as players work on form during football practice on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Karns City’s CJ Emrick, left, Sean Slaughenhoupt, center, Kolby Blair, right, show off their power during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Karns City’s CJ Emrick during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Karns City’s CJ Emrick during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Karns City’s Kolby Blair during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Karns City’s Kolby Blair during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Karns City’s Sean Slaughenhoupt during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Karns City’s Sean Slaughenhoupt during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Karns City varsity football team practiced on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Karns City varsity football team practiced on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Cole Johnston works on his footwork during a drill during football practice on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Riley Hamilton works on his footwork during a drill during football practice on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Riley Hamilton works on his footwork during a drill during football practice on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Cole Johnston works on his footwork during a drill during football practice on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Cole Johnston works on his footwork during a drill during football practice on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Riley Hamilton works on his footwork during a drill during football practice on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Riley Hamilton works on his footwork during a drill during football practice on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Cole Johnston works on his footwork during a drill during football practice on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Karns City varsity football team practiced on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Karns City varsity football team practiced on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Karns City varsity football team practiced on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Karns City varsity football team practiced on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Karns City varsity football team practiced on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Karns City varsity football team practiced on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Karns City varsity football team practiced on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Karns City varsity football team practiced on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Karns City varsity football team practiced on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Karns City varsity football team practiced on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Karns City varsity football team practiced on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Cole Johnston runs drills during football practice on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Riley Hamilton runs drills during football practice on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Karns City varsity football team practiced on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Karns City varsity football team practiced on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Cole Johnston runs drills during football practice on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Karns City varsity football team practiced on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Karns City varsity football team practiced on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Karns City varsity football team practiced on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Karns City varsity football team practiced on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Hunter Scherer works on his footwork during a drill during football practice on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Hunter Scherer works on his footwork during a drill during football practice on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Karns City varsity football team practiced on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Karns City varsity football team practiced on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Karns City varsity football team practiced on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Karns City varsity football team practiced on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Karns City varsity football team practiced on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Karns City varsity football team practiced on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Karns City varsity football team practiced on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Coach Joe Sherwin watches as players work on form during football practice on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Coach Joe Sherwin watches as players work on form during football practice on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Karns City’s CJ Emrick, left, Sean Slaughenhoupt, center, Kolby Blair, right, show off their power during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Karns City’s CJ Emrick during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Karns City’s CJ Emrick during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Karns City’s Kolby Blair during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Karns City’s Kolby Blair during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Karns City’s Sean Slaughenhoupt during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Karns City’s Sean Slaughenhoupt during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
View and purchase Eagle photos at photos.butlereagle.com
Shortly after being presented the Butler Eagle Scoring Trophy in December, Karns City's Braden Slater took the hardware to the school's weight room. His teammates on the offensive line were there and Slater wanted to share the honor with them, getting his picture taken with the guys who paved the way for his outstanding season, which included 14 scores on the ground.
Slater became the ninth KC running back to earn the trophy, and each one had a formidable front to open holes for them.
“When really good linemen graduate here, there always seems to be good ones ready to step up and be leaders,” said Joe Sherwin, who has been a coach in the program for 25 years, head coach since 2018. “There’s two factors in play. One, we’ve had talented kids through the years. Two, there’s been really good line coaches who know how to develop them.”
This year’s line should not detract from the program’s strong tradition of stalwart blockers.
Center CJ Emrick, guard Sean Slaughenhoupt and tackle Kolby Blair will lead the way as seniors and returning starters. They know their teammates at the skill positions will get the attention, and the touchdowns, but they embrace their role and love playing their positions.
“I played quarterback and running back in youth football, then moved to the line for good in the seventh grade,” Slaughenhoupt said. “I’m glad I play there. I love to hit people, and playing guard, I get to hit people on every play.”
The equivalent of scoring a touchdown for an offensive lineman?
“A pancake block,” Emrick said. “When you send a guy to the ground, he’s flat on his back looking up at you, it’s exciting when that happens. I’m not big for a lineman either, 5-(foot-)9 and 195 pounds, so I’ve got to use as much technique as I can.“
Blair considers Slaughenhoupt to be the line’s leader in the weight room.
“It’s a lot of hard work and I can’t say I look forward to it, but it definitely helps having my teammates there,” he said.
Shane Emrick, Mason Bell, Jackson Feicht and Hayden Coone are battling for the other two starting spots on the line.
Karns City’s CJ Emrick, left, Sean Slaughenhoupt, center, Kolby Blair, right, show off their power during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Trevor Geibel, Tyson Frazer and Keagan Schrecengost are vying for the tight end spot. Sherwin said the offense may rely a bit more on the pass this season, but the ground attack will remain the unit’s bread and butter.
“In our offense, the tight end is basically a sixth lineman,” Sherwin said. “The ability to block is the number one thing we look for with that position.”
Coaching KC’s offensive front this season are Zach Kepple, Dalton Callihan, Ed Conto and Tom Covington.
