KARNS CITY — Karns City football coach Ed Conto is a big fan of Clarion.

“They make you play well,” Conto said. “Games like this are good for our program because they force us to get better.”

Something will give Friday night at Diehl Stadium as the Gremlins (6-1) put their six-game winning streak on the line against the unbeaten Bobcats (6-0) at 7 p.m.

Clarion is averaging 39 points per game. The Bobcats’ 28-20 win over Redbank Valley last week marked their lowest offensive output of the season.

“They have a strong running game,” Conto said. “With that fullback-tailback combination, they’ve got a two-headed monster working for them.

“Clarion can hurt you with the pass, too. They can go over the top with a 6-foot-3 kid (Ty Burford) who can go get the ball.”

Burford has 14 receptions for 404 yards and seven touchdowns this season. Quarterback Spencer Miller has completed 37 of 70 passes for 728 yards, 12 touchdowns and six interceptions.

“We probably throw the ball 10 to 15 times per game,” Clarion coach Larry Wiser said. “We’d prefer to run the football.

“Our tailback is a lot like (Chandler) Turner of Karns City. He can do a lot of damage in the open field.”

Colton Rapp has 896 yards and nine touchdowns rushing. Fullback Mike McCloskey has rushed for 205 yards and six TDs on just 32 carries. McCloskey also has seven catches for 103 yards and two scores.

Wiser has been the Bobcats’ head coach since 1988 and has amassed 202 career wins.

“You have to be on your toes with him,” Conto said of Wiser. “He’s an excellent coach.”

The Gremlins figure to get quarterback Jake King back this week. He was medically cleared to play last week at Clarion-Limestone, but Conto opted to hold him out.

KC rushed for 578 yards in that game.

“We’re going to be very cautious anytime we’re dealing with a head injury,” Conto said. “Jake is fine now and we expect him to play.”

But leading tackler and linebacker Brayden Fedorek is sidelined with a knee injury for the Gremlins.

“We’ll miss him, for sure. He calls out all of our signals on defense,” Conto said. “Right now, we’re not sure how long he’ll be out.”

King has thrown for 804 yards and seven TDs for KC. Turner has rushed for 805 yards and 11 scores, Kaiden Powers 514 yards and seven TDs.

Powers has also caught nine passes for 157 yards and two touchdowns, kicked 29 of 31 PATs and is 5-for-5 on field goals.

“He’s versatile on offense and a hitter on defense,” Conto said.

Overall, the Gremlins’ defense has generated 17 sacks and 16 takeaways. Mitchell McDonald leads the team with 4.5 sacks.

Colt Stimmell leads Clarion defensively with 44 tackles and three sacks. Miller has three interceptions.

“Karns City hasn’t passed much the last couple of games, but we know they like to do that,” Wiser said. “The challenge in playing them is taking away the favorite things they like to do. That’s what our focus will be.

“Size-wise, we’re a little smaller up front than their defensive line. But we have seven returning starters on defense and Rapp is a three-year starter.”

Karns City and Clarion have been playing each other since 1967. The Gremlins have a 25-19-1 lead in the series, including a 48-6 win last year.

The Bobcats’ last win in the series is a 42-7 decision in 2013.

“We need to be able to run the ball, not turn it over ... This game will be a challenge for us,” Wiser said.