KARNS CITY — It's mid-August, not September or October, when good football teams are made.

Karns City football coach Ed Conto believes in that mantra. Entering his 11th season as the Gremlins coach, Conto has an even more challenging task before him during these dog days of summer.

"They have a lot to learn, and we are seeing that in camp," Conto said. "We like the kids we have. We think they have a lot of talent. They are showing a lot of grit. But we have more to learn this year than we have in the last five years."

The Gremlins' learning curve is steep because of all the talent lost to graduation after a season in which Karns City won another District 9 Class AA championship and advanced to the state playoffs.

The losses are huge on offense, where four receivers, two fullbacks, two tailbacks and two lineman graduated. Conto must replace more than 2,700 yards rushing and 39 touchdowns.

But that's nothing new for Conto or the Gremlins.

That's why the two-week camp in August is so important.

In 2009, Conto used those two weeks to find out he had a pretty good quarterback in Dylan Hipple, a solid, deep offensive line and a fullback who was a better halfback and a halfback who was a better fullback.

Conto planned to use bruising runner Jake Wagner at halfback and shifty Aaron Markle at fullback. Those plans were scrapped after the first scrimmage.

Conto flip-flopped the two and the offense was taken to a new level. Markle finished the season with 1,304 yards rushing and 17 touchdowns. Wagner, a ferocious blocker, churned out 524 yards and 10 scores.

"You can't make any preconceptions," Conto said. "I'm excited about this year, but I don't know what we have yet."

What he does have for sure is a quarterback ready to thrust himself into the upper echelon in the state.

Hipple completed 60 percent of his passes last season for 1,056 yards and 10 touchdowns. As the season progressed, so did Hipple and his ability to handle what was asked of him.

This season, Hipple will carry even more responsibility.

Conto will unshackle Hipple, allowing his senior quarterback to chose from two plays to run at the line of scrimmage based on what he sees.

"That can open up an offense to a whole new level," Conto said. "If he can take that step, take some things out of our hands and, instead of us guessing what a team might be doing and playing a chess match, be able to read and check into a play, what a difference that will make."

Hipple isn't shying away from that onus. In fact, it's one he relishes.

"I like being able to pick the plays we run, check out of something into something else," Hipple said. "I like being in control."

His supporting cast — and their dimensions — certainly will be different.

Gone are the bruising backs, replaced with a squat, quick one. Also departed are big, physical receivers. His new targets will more resemble the Smurfs of the early 1980s Washington Redskins.

"We have a lot of quickness this year," Hipple said. "We are trying to showcase that."

How it all comes together before a challenging season-opener at rival Moniteau will be determined in the hot sun and sticky air of August.

"I think by the end of the year, they are going to be good," Conto said.