Karns City facing Ridgway for D-9 Class 2A grid title
This is the second in a series of four articles previewing Butler County area high school football playoff games this weekend.
KARNS CITY — Joe Sherwin will gladly take a result similar to Karns City's regular season game against Ridgway.
The Gremlins' football coach just doesn't expect to get one.
Karns City (10-1) and Ridgway (8-3) will square off for the District 9 Class 2A championship at 7 p,n. Friday at Brockway's Varischetti Field.
KC shut out the Elkers, 35-0, a month ago and is the defending district champion.
“They moved the ball on us that night, but they turned the ball over four times and that helped us out,” Sherwin said. “We can't anticipate that happening again.”
What the Gremlins can anticipate is their own power running game showing up again.
Karns City rushed for 269 yards in that victory over Ridgway this season. The Gremlins rushed for 371 yards in their 35-7 playoff win over Central Clarion last week and gained 300 yards on the ground in their regular season finale against DuBois Area.
“Yeah, I feel like our running game may be peaking at the right time,” Sherwin said. “We're going to ride that as long as we can. There's no secret in what we're doing.
“Our success on the ground has helped our play-action passing, too. We can hit some big plays down the field.”
The Gremlins threw only twice in last week's playoff win. The first throw resulted in a pass interference penalty on Central Clarion. The second resulted in a 38-yard touchdown pass to Micah Rupp.
Karns City's starting offensive line features center Josh Griffiths, guards Cole Hilliard and TJ Vlassich, tackles Austin Brown and Aaron Taylor. Nathan Lessner is the tight end.
“All of those guys are seniors,” Sherwin said. “They're a veteran group and they've been starting for a while. They execute extremely well.”
Karns City may wind up with three 1,000-yard performers in its backfield as a result. Quarterback Eric Booher needs 45 yards to reach 1,000 through the air. He's thrown 10 TD passes and only four interceptions.
Luke Garing has rushed for 952 yards and 23 touchdowns, Jayce Anderson 906 yards and nine scores. Booher has 249 yards on the ground, Cooper Coyle 259.
“Luke and Jayce complement each other very well,” Sherwin said. “I don't think I've seen a more dependable short-yardage back than Luke.
“He's a big body, he keeps his legs moving and is so determined when he gets the football.”
Garing leads the KC defense with 76 tackles from his middle linebacker position. Lessner has four quarterback sacks.
Ridgway coach Mark Heindl was only 15-34 in his first five years with the Elkers. The program merged with Johnsonburg in 2013 and has endured only one losing season since.
Domenic Allegretto, a senior, has settled in at quarterback. He's thrown for 365 yards, rushed for 511 and nine TDs, caught 20 passes for 297.
“The last time we played them, they were still unsettled at quarterback,” Sherwin said. “No. 26 (Allegretto) has stepped in there and is a dual threat for them.”
Eric Salberg has 410 yards rushing for the Elkers. Cam Marciniak has rushed for 559 yards and seven TDs, catching 22 passes for 348 yards. Will Howard has 23 catches for 395 yards.
“They have a lot of weapons offensively,” Sherwin said.
Besides losing to Karns City, Ridgway has dropped decisions of 21-6 to DuBois Area and 33-14 to Central Clarion this season.
