By the time anybody's eyes reach this column, we will know whether it's on.

Karns City vs. Moniteau, Part II, that is.

At the time of this writing, the Gremlins had to get past Kane while the Warriors had to handle Brookville.

But in terms of Karns City and Moniteau meeting again in the playoffs, why should we expect otherwise?

The two rivals have met in the regular season and postseason each of the past three years.

Karns City won five of those six games, the lone loss being a 10-7 setback in the 2005 District 9 playoffs.

In 2006, the Gremlins survived two close games with the Warriors, claiming 20-18 and 32-29 decisions.

In 2007, KChandled Moniteau fairly easily, winning 39-19 in the regular season and 50-14 in the playoffs.

This year, the Warriors gained some revenge, winning a 35-34 thriller at KC.

A decade ago, this rivalry wasn't much of one. Karns City won 56-0 in 1998, 61-6 in 2000, 33-6 in 2001 and 69-23 in 2002.

Now, the rivalry is off the charts.

What happened?

Moniteau got good.

During the late 1990s, Karns City's football program turned the corner under Lon Hazlet. Moniteau was winning one or two games a year in those days.

We in the Eagle sports department used to wonder what it would be like if Moniteau ever elevated its program to the point that it could challenge Karns City for the KSACand District 9 titles.

Now the Warriors can.

And now we know.

When Moniteau broke through with a 22-20 win over the Gremlins in 2003, Karns City vs. Moniteau stopped being a game.

It became an event.

With the exception of last year, the Gremlins and Warriors have put on hard-hitting, tight football games the past five years.

When Steve Wilson, former KCdefensive coordinator, took the Moniteau head coaching job in 2002, the two programs became as connected as the communities they represent.

Now, Jeff Campbell is at the helm and continued Wilson's plan of bringing along a football program in Karns City's image.

The teams really are a lot alike. Maybe that's what makes the games so great.

Over the past couple of years, our sports department has been accused of being pro-Moniteau by the Karns City faithful, pro-Karns City by the Moniteau faithful.

Some extended families have kids playing for both teams.

Karns City vs. Moniteau:It's become the most anticipated event of the Butler County football season.

The District 9 championship game now has the chance to become the top county sporting event of 2008.

Armagost, James Shope and Tony Campbell anchor the Warriors. Anthony Stimac and a lengthy cast of characters key the Gremlins.

Buy your tickets early, take plenty of pictures, video, if you can, and buy the 50-50.

Simply enjoy.