At the start of the season, few would have predicted that the Redbank Valley and Karns City football teams would both start the season with 4-0 records.

But they have, and on Friday, they will square off in a game that will give the winner the upper hand in the Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference.

Kickoff is at 7 p.m. at Karns City.

"I didn't think we'd be 4-0. I'd be lying if I said so," said Redbank coach Ed Wasilowski. "I thought we had three tough games with Keystone, Schenley and Clarion."

The Bulldogs started by riding the experience of their offensive line. Everything else seems to have fallen into place.

"We have everyone back (on the line), and have been able to run the ball," Wasilowski said.

Thanks to a six-man rotation of Brock Reed, Cody George, Shane Bowser, Dan Jordan, Carter Dinger and Tony Bish, Redbank has been running wild all season.

Sophomore Alex Bladel, the No. 2 rusher in District 9, has 630 yards on just 71 carries and eight touchdowns.

Quarterback Jake Smith has added 311 yards on 46 carries and five scores.

Smith has completed 29-of-51 passes for 311 yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions. Mike Booher (10 catches for 125 yards, two scores) and Jerrett Magagnotti (eight receptions, 110 yards, one TD) are the top targets.

"We knew Jake and Alex were young and didn't know how they would perform," said Wasilowski. "I figured Jake would be ready, but Alex has been a pleasant surprise."

"(Smith) is a good passer and a deadly runner himself," said Karns City coach Ed Conto.

The Gremlins have come from behind to knock off Hickory and Keystone in their rise to 4-0.

Karns City is 2-0 in the KSAC; Redbank is 3-0 in the conference. Moniteau is the other unbeaten team in the conference.

"You have to be happy where we're at," said Conto. "We still don't know how we are with kids coming back from injury and rotating people around.

"I'm sure there's some dissension with the juniors and seniors because we somehow have to find a happy medium and try to work kids in. That's been the tough part,"Conto added.

But team has seen many impressive performances.

Roy Beham leads the team with 303 yards rushing on 50 carries and seven touchdowns.

Quarterback Matt Endlish has competed 27-of-55 passes for 372 yards, two touchdowns and five interceptions.

"Karns City can run the ball well and throw well. I'm most impressed that they know how to win," said Wasilowski. "Their backs were against the wall at Hickory and held them off three times to win. And they came back against Keystone with two touchdowns in the fourth quarter.

"Last year, they learned how to win those types of games," he added.

<B>7 p.m. FridayStreak:</B> Redbank Valley has scored 35 or more points in its last three games.<B>Statistic:</B> The Bulldogs have rushed for 1,004 yards and 13 touchdowns in the first four weeks of the season.<B>Speaking: </B>"We're still making some mistakes offensively. We're young. We're having growing pains. As a coaching staff, we have to find a way to stop these things." — Karns City coach Ed Conto