Karns City football 2026 preview: What to watch, 3 things to know and schedule
The Karns City Gremlins return a number of players who possess the talent and experience that should keep the team in the running for back-to-back District 9 Class 2A football championships.
Having a quarterback the likes of senior Cole Johnston, who is entering his fourth season as a starter, gives the offense invaluable confidence.
Defensively, KC is switching to a 3-4 formation to accentuate the talent and experience at linebacker and in the secondary, where Shane Emrick and Bryce Galan, respectively, will be leaders.
Johnston has made consistent improvement since being thrust into the starting quarterback role in 2023.
During his sophomore season, Johnston completed 45% of his passes for 830 yards before elevating to 53% and 1,232 yards last year. He added 31 combined touchdowns, including 13 through the air for an offense known annually for its powerful ground game.
“I feel like I set a good pace last year,” said Johnston, who has dedicated himself off the field to maximizing his potential. “I work with (quarterback coach) Scott Fichter and watch film with him after each game. It’s helped me make better reads, and I’ve learned to take the easy throws when they’re there.”
Receiver Owen Kaufman caught six passes for 81 yards and a TD last year. Now a senior, he should become a familiar target for Johnston.
“Cole led us to a very solid year on offense last season,” Kaufman said. “He sees the field very well, and everybody knows he can run.”
In fact, Johnston is the team’s top returning rusher, gaining 734 yards in 2025. The Gremlins graduated four players — Hunter Scherer, Owen Heginbotham, Nathan Hess and Riley Hamilton — who tallied 2,259 yards last year on the ground (70% of the team’s output).
Tyson Frazer and Ronald Szczygiel, now seniors, combined for 86 rushing yards and a pair of scores in 2025. KC coach Joe Sherwin believes they can step into expanded roles and lead the rushing attack.
“Tyson is more of a fullback type of runner,” he said. “We usually have a bunch of guys who end up getting carries during the season, and I expect this year to be similar. Other guys will work their way in.”
Kaufman and fellow receiver Galan will also get opportunities to contribute to the ground game.
1. Blockers needed: It is a very rare season when KC does not count its offensive line as a strength. The front may turn out to be formidable once again, but if it does, a number of new starters will have to step to the fore.
Only senior Shane Emrick, who can play guard and tackle, returns as a starter, a role he took on as a sophomore. Sherwin said the other starters are still up in the air.
“We’ll probably be a bigger line than we were last year,” he said. “We have some guys who are seniors and it’s their time. It’s gonna take some development, but the potential is there.”
2. Defense gets a makeover: The Gremlins had used four defensive linemen for a number of years. Now they’re moving to a 3-4 front, prompted by five returning starters at linebacker and in the secondary.
Emrick and Szczygiel, KC’s top two returning tacklers, are back at linebacker. Johnston and Galan will again be at safety and Kaufman at cornerback.
The defensive line from last year was hit hard by graduation. Star defensive end Mason Bell is gone after recording 39 sacks over the past four seasons.
“It will take a number of guys to replace what Mason did,” Sherwin said. “One player who will be in that mix is defensive end Trevor Geibel. He’s a big kid at 6-(foot-)4, 225.”
3. Table tradition: The evening prior to Karns City’s Week 3 game at Punxsutawney will find Kaufman’s house in East Brady filled to the brim.
“A senior always hosts dinner for the whole team the night before each game,” Kaufman said. “It’s been a tradition forever at Karns City.
“Last year, I can’t remember which player hosted it the one week, but his mom made lasagna and it was the best I’ve ever had.”
- Aug. 28, 7 — Karns City at Moniteau
- Sept. 4, 7 — Keystone at Karns City
- Sept. 11, 7 — Karns City at Punxsutawney*
- Sept. 18, 7 — St. Marys at Karns City*
- Sept. 25, 7 — DuBois at Karns City*
- Oct. 2, 7 — Karns City at Central Clarion*
- Oct. 9, 7 — Karns City at Ridgway
- Oct. 16, 7 — Butler at Karns City
- Oct. 23, 7 — Port Allegany at Karns City
- Oct. 30, 7 — Karns City at Oil City
*Region game
2025: 9-3*
2024: 7-3*
2023: 5-6*
2022: 6-5*
2021: 11-2*
*Made playoffs
-
Karns City head coach Joe Sherwin, center, looks on as a player answers a question from Butler Radio's Tyler Friel, left, during Butler Eagle Football Media Day Aug. 6 at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
-
A camera records Karns City football players for an episode of "Eye on Sports" during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
-
Karns City's Owen Kaufman, right, answers a question during a recording of "Eye on Sports" as Cole Johnston, left, looks on during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
-
Karns City's Cole Johnston (center) answers a question during an interview with Butler Radio during Butler Eagle Football Media Day Aug. 6 at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
-
Karns City's Bryce Galan (25), Owen Kaufman, middle, and Cole Johnston, back, pretend to row a boat for a touchdown celebration video during Butler Eagle Football Media Day Aug. 6 at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
-
Karns City’s Bryce Galan, left, Cole Johnston, center, and Owen Kaufman, right, try a wing during a recording of "Eye on Sports" during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
-
Karns City's Owen Kaufman during Butler Eagle Football Media Day Aug. 6 at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
-
Karns City's Bryce Galan during Butler Eagle Football Media Day Aug. 6 at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
-
Karns City's Cole Johnston during Butler Eagle Football Media Day Aug. 6 at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
-
Karns City's Owen Kaufman (24), Cole Johnston, back center, and Bryce Galan (25) pose with head coach Joe Sherwin, front, during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
-
Karns City assistant coach Jason Hackwelder works with players on a warm-up exercise during football practice Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, at Karns City's Diehl Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
-
Karns City's Shane Emrick runs a warm-up drill during football practice Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, at Karns City's Diehl Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
-
Karns City football players run warm-up drills during football practice Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, at Karns City's Diehl Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
-
Karns City players take a water break during football practice Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, at Karns City's Diehl Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
-
Karns City football players wait for the rest of the team to finish a warm-up drill during football practice Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, at Karns City's Diehl Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
-
Karns City quarterback Cole Johnston stands for a photo during football practice Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, at Karns City's Diehl Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
-
The Karns City football team run practice drills during football practice Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, at Karns City's Diehl Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
-
Karns City's Elijah Ross runs warm-up drills during football practice Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, at Karns City's Diehl Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
-
The Karns City football team run practice drills during football practice Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, at Karns City's Diehl Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
-
Karns City's Shane Emrick (87) participates in a drill during football practice Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, at Karns City's Diehl Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
-
Karns City assistant coach Jason Hackwelder directs players through warm-up exercises during football practice Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, at Karns City's Diehl Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
-
Karns City's Chase Crawford practices a punt during football practice Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, at Karns City's Diehl Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
-
Karns City's Shane Emrick runs a warm-up drill during football practice Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, at Karns City's Diehl Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
-
The Karns City football team run practice drills during football practice Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, at Karns City's Diehl Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
-
Karns City's Bryce Galan (25) runs a warm-up drill during football practice Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, at Karns City's Diehl Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
-
Karns City's Ronald Szczygiel (5) runs warm-up drills during football practice Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, at Karns City's Diehl Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
-
Karns City's Ronald Szczygiel receives a punt during football practice Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, at Karns City's Diehl Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
-
The Karns City football team line-up for a practice exercise during football practice Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, at Karns City's Diehl Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
