KARNS CITY — Moniteau needed something, anything, to pull even with Karns City in Friday's District 9 Class AA semifinal game.

When David Rumbaugh intercepted a pass by Gremlins quarterback Steve Black and returned it 25 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter, the Warriors got what they were looking for and used it to pull out a 10-7 victory.

With the win, Moniteau (6-5) faces the winner of Saturday's Redbank Valley-Brockway game next weekend for the district championship.

"Karns City is a great team and a great program," said Moniteau coach Steve Wilson. "They made plays, but we were able to come up with the big play when we needed to, and that really helped us out."

"I think (the interception return) really got the defense going and pumped up," said Moniteau running back-linebacker Matt Schandelmeier. "That was the turning point of the game."

Rumbaugh's pick came with 5:16 left in the quarter. To that point, the Warriors had only 105 yards of total offense and trailed 7-0.

Karns City had 217 yards of offense, but mustered just 26 more the rest of the game.

"Moniteau made the plays, but we didn't execute," said Karns City coach Ed Conto. "They were sharp and we weren't."

On Karns City's ensuing possession, Moniteau rolled with the momentum as it limited the Gremlins to three plays and a punt.

Moniteau started on its own 43 and, five plays later, faced a fourth-and-3 at the KC 39. The Warriors punted, but the Gremlins' Cameron Turner ran into punter Ryan Protzman for a roughing penalty.

The 15-yard penalty gave Moniteau a first down at the KC 24. Seven plays later, Adam Cousins connected on a 24-yard field goal with 9:54 remaining to give the Warriors the 10-7 lead.

Karns City (7-3) tried to rally on its next drive, as a pass interference call on Moniteau, coupled with an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, gave Karns City a first-and-10 at the Moniteau 37.

Facing a fourth-and-6 at the 33, the Warriors jumped offside to make it fourth-and-1. Mike Stimac picked up three yards for the first down at the 25.

On the next play, Black's pass was deflected by Moniteau's Clay Campbell and intercepted by Protzman to end the threat.

The Gremlins fumbled on the first play of their next possession and Moniteau linebacker Kyle Mauthe fell on it.

Karns City had one more possession, with 3:16 left in the game, but the Gremlins picked up only six yards on four plays, turning the ball over on downs to Moniteau, which ran out the clock.

"We made more turnovers than usual," said Conto. "We had holding penalties. We were throwing to guys moving the wrong way. We were not sharp."

The Gremlins had a strong first half with 200 total yards but only one score, a 43-yard over-the-shoulder catch by Justin Switzer from Black with 1:12 left in the first quarter.

They tried to extend the lead to 10-0 before halftime, but Matt McConnell's 23-yard field goal attempt on the half's final play was blocked by Schandelmeier.

The Gremlins fielded their smallest team in years, ending the season with 24 players, but they finished as KSAC co-champions.

"I'm happy and proud of our kids," said Conto. "As a coach, you want them to go out and fight and work hard, and they did that. There was not a game they didn't try. They busted their butts, even in this game.

"Early in the year (Moniteau) was picked for a reason. They have talent and they got it together," Conto added.

The Warriors started the season 0-2, then won four in a row before dropping three straight to close out the regular season. They defeated Brookville 35-25 in last week's playoff game, which might have gotten the team back on track.

"Football is momentum and it's mental," said Wilson. "Our kids right now are pumped up and flying. We had our best week of practice this week that we've had all year."

Notes:

Schandelmeier led all rushers with 75 yards on 22 carries. … Black passed for 148 yards, 137 coming in the first half. Switzer finished with three catches for 102 yards. … The defensive score was the Warriors' first of the season. … Karns City did not allow Moniteau an offensive touchdown in its two games this year, winning 10-0 Oct. 14.

Moniteau 0 0 7 3—10

Karns City 7 0 0 0— 7

First Quarter

KC — Justin Switzer 43 pass from Steve Black (Matt McConnell kick), 1:12

T

h

ird Quarter

M — David Rumbaugh 25 interception return (Adam Cousins kick), 5:16

Fourth Quarter

M — Cousins 24 field goal, 9:54

Individual Statistics

Passing

: Moniteau, Garth Kohlmeyer 2-8-13-1. Karns City, Steve Black, 8-17-148-2.

Rushing

: Moniteau, Matt Schandelmeier 22-75, Adam Cousins 11-44, Ryan Protzman 4-15, Garth Kohlmeyer 7-7. Karns City, Wayne Harris 15-41, Joey Everetts 9-30, Justin Macurak 6-26, Matt Stimac 1-3, Steve Black 5-(-5).

Receiving

: Moniteau, Ryan Ptotzman 2-13. Karns City, Justin Switzer 3-102, Justin Macurak 3-19, Chad Bell 2-9, Cameron Turner 1-18.