KARNS CITY – No extra motivation needed for Tyler Kepple.

If the Karns City senior wasn't excited for the Class AA District 9 baseball title game, he thinks something would be wrong. Especially since the Gremlins are playing rival Moniteau.

“Any time Karns City playing Moniteau, if you have trouble getting excited, there's something wrong with you,” Kepple said.

Wednesday, one of Butler County's most hotly contested will migrate to Clarion County for a pair of district title games. Karns City and Moniteau will meet in the District 9 baseball and softball titles games at 4:30 p.m. at Clarion-Limestone High School.

“I think it's going to be pretty fun. We've grown up with that rivalry,” Moniteau sophomore Alyssa Dailey said. “When you play Karns City, it's a game people are going to watch.”

Moniteau and Karns City baseball will meet for the second straight year, while the softball teams played in the championship game in 2007 and 2009.

The Gremlins' baseball team beat the Warriors last season, 11-7. Moniteau sophomore outfielder Josh McBride said the Warriors went to watch Karns City (13-2) play its semifinal playoff game against Curwensville.

“It showed us where their heads were at. I wanted to see whether they thought they were going to run through Curwensville or whether they knew they had to go in there and play a game,” McBride said. “It showed us they were going to be ready to play in the district title game.”

Moniteau won its first softball title in history with a 7-1 win over Karns City in 2007. The Gremlins returned the favor in 2009, beating the Warriors 15-5 to claim their first crown.

Being a championship game gives the game more importance.

“I don't know if it (playing Moniteau) makes it any different,” Karns City softball coach Jim Gibson said. “Being a District 9 game makes it more special.”

Moniteau swept the season series this year. The Warriors won 17-7 in softball and 4-2 in baseball. Dailey is just excited to play in the title game. Last season, the Warriors got bounced by Curwensville, 12-0.

“We're pretty excited and pumped up. This is my first time playing in this game,” Dailey said. “I'm glad we beat Curwensville after we got 10-runned by them this year.”

Kepple is also excited to have another chance to play Moniteau.

“They are a better team this year,” Kepple said. “They can hit the ball well and have a good pitcher, but are a good team, too.”