Karns City football heads into District 9 playoffs by running over Wilmington, winning 5 straight

October 24, 2025 Last Updated: October 25, 2025 12:12 AM Sports

Karns City offensive lineman Shane Emrick (50) and running back Hunter Scherer (23) celebrate after a touchdown against Wilmington in a football game Friday, Oct. 24, 2025, at Wilmington High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle

Matthew Brown

NEW WILMINGTON — Zach Kepple had second thoughts about calling a screen pass late in the fourth quarter of Karns City’s football game Friday at Wilmington.

The Gremlins were nursing a five-point lead and facing a third-and-20 from their own 39-yard line with just over two minutes to play.

“Wilmington called a timeout and we were going over our options, which included a screen,” said Kepple, KC’s offensive coordinator. “We had run one earlier in the game and they (Greyhounds) had sat back and defended it. I was leaning against it, but the players wanted to run it.”

Kepple went against his gut, and he’s glad he did.

The Greyhounds blitzed and KC quarterback Cole Johnston completed the screen to Hunter Scherer, who broke one tackle, picked up the first down, then broke three more tackles before settling for a 46-yard gain down to Wilmington’s 15.

With just one timeout left, Wilmington was helpless and watched the Gremlins take a knee three times to close out a 33-28 victory at Terry Verrelli Stadium.

Scherer’s catch and run kept Wilmington’s offense, which had scored three touchdowns in the fourth quarter, on the sideline.

“It was do or die,” Scherer said. “If we don’t pick up that first down, we knew Wilmington had time to score.

“I stumbled when I first caught the ball. When I turned around, I saw the blocking was set up for me and I had to go.”

The play, the only pass Johnston attempted in the second half, capped a furious final quarter, which began with KC leading 20-7, the same score it led by at halftime.

Karns City running back Nathan Hess (9) is grabbed by Wilmington safety Chase Mitcheltree (2) in a football game Friday, Oct. 24, 2025, at Wilmington High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle

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The Greyhounds (7-3) entered the game averaging 281 yards rushing per contest but were held to just 62 in the first half.

“We tried some different things defensively, some different sets with blitzes, and they worked against their run,” KC coach Joe Sherwin said.

After a KC punt, Wilmington took over with 4:38 left in the third period and embarked on an 11-play, 91-yard scoring drive that ended with Chase Mitcheltree’s 10-yard run to pay dirt.

The Gremlins answered with Scherer’s 16-yard scoring run, giving KC a 26-14 lead with 8:18 left.

Mitcheltree, who surpassed 1,000 rushing yards this season in the game, broke free for a 79-yard kickoff return to KC’s 4.

Two plays later, he scored again.

Scherer scored for the third time in the game from 10 yards out, but the Greyounds, who do not throw the ball often, got a 54-yard touchdown pass from Wesley Vass-Gal to Freddie Zehetner with 2:50 to play.

KC’s Riley Hamilton recovered the ensuing onside kick. A holding penalty, plus two runs that yielded nothing, set the stage for the screen pass.

“I would’ve liked to have seen our defense step up and get a stop in the fourth quarter,” Sherwin said. “But our offense kept answering, and that was key.”

While Wilmington rushed for 146 yards, the Gremlins chewed up 324 yards on 48 carries.

Johnston led the way with 124 yards and scored twice in the first half. Nathan Hess gained 100 and Scherer 71.

Karns City linebacker Shane Emrick (50) and teammates tackle Wilmington split end Freddie Zehetner (17) in a football game Friday, Oct. 24, 2025, at Wilmington High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle

Matthew Brown

“Our line was awesome tonight,” Scherer said. “Nothing we do would be possible without them.”

Since losing at home to Punxsutawney Sept. 19, the Gremlins (8-2) have won five straight and will enter the District 9 postseason with a full head of steam.

“Our coaches told us tonight wasn’t about the standings,” Scherer said. “It was about momentum.”

Karns City 14 6 0 13 — 33

Wilmington 7 0 0 21 — 28

First Quarter

KC — Hunter Scherer 6 run (Brock Dittman kick), 8:56

W — Freddie Zehetner 33 pass from Wesley Vass-Gal (Ryder Tervo kick), 5:42

KC — Cole Johnston 15 run (Dittman kick), 2:36

Second Quarter

KC — Johnston 10 run (kick failed), 11:45

Fourth Quarter

W — Chase Mitcheltree 10 run (Tervo kick), 11:30

KC — Scherer 16 run (pass failed), 8:18

W — Mitcheltree 7 run (Isaac Maynard kick), 7:09

KC — Scherer 10 run (Dittman kick), 3:03

W — Zehetner 54 pass from Vass-Gal (Maynard kick), 2:50

Individual Statistics

Rushing: Karns City, Nathan Hess 13-100, Riley Hamilton 3-18, Hunter Scherer 12-71, Cole Johnston 18-124, Bryce Galan 1-7, Trevor Geibel 1-4. Wilmington, Cam Kettering 7-22, Chase Mitcheltree 13-73, Rowan Miller 4-14, Cael Kettering 4-18, Freddie Zehetner 2-19

Passing: Karns City, Cole Johnston 5-7-106-0. Wilmington, Wesley Vass-Gal 6-12-122-0.

Receiving: Karns City, Bryce Galan 1-27, Trevor Geibel 1-10, Riley Hamilton 1-17, Keagan Schrecengost 1-6, Hunter Scherer 1-46. Wilmington, Freddie Zehetner 4-109, Chase Mitcheltree 2-13.

Matthew Brown

Karns City wide reciever Bryce Galan (25) breaks away with the ball while offensive lineman Kolby Blair (66) blocks a Wilmington defender in a football game Friday, Oct. 24, 2025, at Wilmington High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle

Matthew Brown

Karns City running back Nathan Hess (9) is grabbed by Wilmington safety Chase Mitcheltree (2) in a football game Friday, Oct. 24, 2025, at Wilmington High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle

Matthew Brown

Karns City running back Hunter Scherer (23) scores a touchdown against Wilmington in a football game Friday, Oct. 24, 2025, at Wilmington High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle

Matthew Brown

Karns City linebacker Shane Emrick (50) and teammates tackle Wilmington split end Freddie Zehetner (17) in a football game Friday, Oct. 24, 2025, at Wilmington High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle

Matthew Brown