KARNS CITY - Football at Karns City High School possesses a tradition of excellence.

Its soccer isn't too bad, either.

The Gremlins girls soccer team hasn't had a losing season in coach Joe Meshanko's 12 years with the program. It has won the District 9 championship six years in a row and has claimed the Upper Allegheny Valley Soccer League crown for a fifth successive season.

No Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference team has defeated Karns City in seven years.

"We gave up two goals in league games all year," Meshanko said. "Redbank Valley scored on us this year for the first time in six years and celebrated like it."

Karns City's boys haven't suffered a losing season since 1995. Fifth-year coach Roy Parker has won 61 of 87 games during his tenure, including two of the past three UAVSL championships.

The District 9 crown has eluded the Gremlins on the boys side.

"Northern Potter has been the thorn in our side," Parker said. "They've knocked us out the last two years."

Regardless, Karns City has been as consistently productive in the English version of football as it has in American-style football.

The question is how have the Gremlins done it?

One reason is a coed junior high program that has 44 players this year, the majority being female.

"We split off into two teams, we had so many," Meshanko said. "It definitely helps our girls develop their game. We have seven freshmen on our varsity this year and four of them start."

Another reason is the commitment Meshanko and Parker have to Karns City's youth program.

"They start in fourth or fifth grade and they all want to play for Joe," said assistant girls varsity coach Becky Pedersen. "This program is so streamlined all the way through."

Pedersen coached girls soccer at Knoch for 10 years before coming to Karns City.

"You don't see this type of commitment and consistency in a program at very many schools," Pedersen said.

Between indoor, fall and spring soccer, Karns City youth program is running throughout the calendar.

"Our kids are playing year-round," Parker said. "They can't help but get better. (Current Butler coach) Malcolm Cook coached our boys varsity for four years and we've maintained his English playing style."

Brittni Grenninger is the Gremlins leading scorer this year with 37 goals. She has 106 in her career and will likely graduate No. 2 on the school's all-time scoring list behind state record-holder Leslie Barnhart's 213.

Grenninger's father, Jim, is another assistant coach at Karns City.

"Leslie definitely heads the tradition here, but the player who's had the biggest influence on Brittni is (Butler graduate) Meghan Schnur," the elder Grenninger said. "She's worked with her in classic soccer and Brittni's learned a lot from her."

Karns City's girls have continued to win this year despite injuries to team captain and senior defender Jessica Smith, returning 20-goal scorer Kristen Barnhart and goalkeeper Keirsten Foreback.

"If it weren't for bad luck, we'd have no luck at all," Meshanko said.

Still, Redbank Valley puts 11 players in the box when it plays Karns City. Clarion does the same thing.

"It's hard to find a hole for the ball to get to the net," Meshanko said. "We beat Clarion 3-0 and had 38 shots on goal."

Karns City's boys have to contend with an element the girls don't have: a successful football program.

"This is a football valley and it took about six years for our program to be accepted," assistant boys coach Ken Knox said.

The Gremlins used to play soccer in East Brady before artificial turf was installed at the high school football field.

"That turf made all the difference for us," Parker said. "When we played out at East Brady, it was almost like out of sight, out of mind."

Andrew Harmon leads Karns City with 18 goals. Mark Ferguson, another junior, has 14 goals and senior Zach Angert has 10.

Ferguson returned to soccer this year after not playing for a while.

"He's an athlete, the type we usually lose to football," Knox said. "He's made a big difference for us.

"Lately, we've been able to keep most of our players. That's a positive sign," he added.

And Karns City just keeps winning.

"We're supportive of other sports and other sports are supportive of us," Parker said. "We all share a common goal. We all want to be successful."

Here are some numbers on the Karns City High School soccer program: Boys2004 record: 11-4Last losing season: 1995League titles: 2002, 20042004 leading scorer: Andrew Harmon, 18 goalsAll-time leading scorer: Ryan Parker, 112 goalsGirls 2004 record: 15-4Consecutive District 9 titles: 6Consecutive league titles: 5Losses to KSAC opponents since 1998: 02004 leading scorer: Brittni Grenninger, 39 goalsAll-time leading scorer: Leslie Barnhart, 213 goals (PIAA record)