When it comes to Karns City vs. Moniteau in football these days, only one thing is certain.

They'll sell plenty of 50-50 tickets.

"When they came to our place two years ago, the 50-50 was worth $2,000," Moniteau coach Steve Wilson said. "The crowd was so big, they just started letting people come in.

"The atmosphere was incredible."

Expect a repeat when the Gremlins (4-2, 3-1) visit the Warriors (4-2, 3-1) for a 7 p.m. kickoff Friday.

The winner remains a prime contender for the Keystone-Shortway Athletic Conference title.

"There is so much at stake," Wilson said. "There's the KSAC title chase, seeding for the playoffs … and it's a rivalry game.

"There will be a lot of people there and that's the way it should be when there's two local, winning football teams locking up with each other."

Moniteau has won four straight games and is coming off one of its more impressive victories, a 21-6 triumph at Bald Eagle.

The Warriors have allowed only two scores in their four victories.

"Bald Eagle was one of the stronger, more physical teams we've played," Wilson said. "They had five or six wrestlers out there, yet we held our own physically under very sloppy conditions.

"Matt Schandelmeier had a big game defensively. Most teams in our league run away from him, but they (Bald Eagle) didn't know to do that, so they ran at him."

Schandelmeier led the Warriors with 12 tackles. Clay Campbell anchored a solid performance from the linebackers.

Offensively, Schandelmeier has 106 carries for 865 yards while Adam Cousins has 68 carries for 395 this season.

"The key is their offensive line and two running backs," said Karns City coach Ed Conto. "They have a big offensive line and tight end Ryan Protzman making holes for Matt and Cousins."

As physical as Bald Eagle was, however, Karns City will be more so.

"They've got a few different backs they use and a big offensive line," Wilson said. "This will be the most physical game we've played to date.

"We have to focus on Stephen Black. He's a two-year starter at quarterback, he's an elusive, tough kid who can throw the football. Everything happens around him."

While Friday's game will be one of high intensity and emotion, Wilson is confident his team will maintain its cool.

"We have a level-headed group this year," he said. "Field position will be critical and we won't do anything foolish to disrupt that.

"We want to force them to work the ball downfield on us. We can't afford to give up the big play."

Karns City is coming off consecutive upsets in KSAC play, winning at Redbank Valley 29-25 and knocking off previously unbeaten Clarion at home 17-14 in overtime.

In last Friday's game, Wayne Harris scored on a 70-yard run, Cameron Turner caught a scoring pass from quarterback Steve Black and Matt McConnell booted a 21-yard field goal in overtime that proved to be the difference.

"I was astounded how well our kids held up (against Clarion)," said Conto. "They kept coming. We had a couple of injuries and we're down to 20 kids.

"They marvel me with their effort. They're definitely not quitting," Conto added.

Conto actually pointed back to a 35-14 loss to Sharpsville Sept. 9 that showed what this team is capable of doing and could play with a team like Clarion.

"The biggest thing that helped us was Sharpsville. They were physically tough," said Conto. "We had a lot of opportunities to be in the game and not back down.

"It was like 'Hey, we're not getting beat up. We can handle their size,'" Conto added.

Wilson expects nothing but a nail-biter come Friday.

"Karns City's back was to the wall and their kids never quit," he said. "Those kids will never quit. No matter the circumstances, they just keep coming at you."