CLARION — This season, Josh Stimac has been a player without a definitive role on offense, which for Karns City is not out of the ordinary.

But on Saturday, the 5-foot-8, 180-pound junior running back took center stage in the Gremlins' 50-14 victory over Moniteau in the District 9 Class AA championship game at Clarion University's Memorial Stadium.

Stimac rushed for two touchdowns and threw for another to account for three of the Gremlins' four first-half scores to take a 28-8 lead.

"Josh is such a solid, solid football player," said Karns City coach Ed Conto. "It's a shame he shares practice time with so many other players.

"He's a nice, stable athlete. With every game he gets more and more confidence,"Conto added.

Stimac pulled the Gremlins to within one point, 8-7, with 1:12 left in the first quarter when he scampered 16 yards for a touchdown.

Three minutes later, he took a pitch from Gremlins quarterback Anthony Stimac, rolled right and heaved a 13-yard scoring strike to Mike McConnell in the back of the end zone.

"I saw Mike McConnell in the end zone and I threw as hard as I could," said Josh. "He turned it into a touchdown. He made a nice catch."

"He definitely has confidence," said Anthony Stimac, who is also Josh's cousin. "It didn't bother me that he threw the touchdown. I'm happy for him.

"He threw a perfect pass. He wasn't worried about the trick play. He kept his head,"the quarterback added.

With 1:55 left before halftime, Josh Stimac scored from three yards out to give the Gremlins their 20-point halftime lead and put the Warriors in a deeper hole.

"Everyone contributed," said Josh. "The offensive line (which included Corey Gifford, Shane Dillon, Ray Emery, Devin Collins, Nick Sypulski, Jake Wagner and Tylar Parker) blocked great. Everyone did a great job.

This season, Josh Stimac has rushed for 47 times for 453 yards and seven touchdowns. Brett Green leads the team with 581 yards and nine touchdowns. Markus LaVan has added 476 yards and six scores and Anthony Stimac 367 and eight touchdowns.

As a linebacker, Stimac had contributed 11 tackles and three interceptions entering the postseason.

"Next year, he'll shine at linebacker when Brett Green graduates," said Conto.

Last season, a slew of injuries curtailed a promising sophomore season.

"I broke my wrist in the first game (against St. Marys), then a couple of games later against Clarion, I had a concussion," said Josh.

To make matters worse, he sustained a second concussion in the regular-season finale against Forest Hills.

Now, with their first state playoff game since 2001 scheduled for this weekend, Stimac and his fellow Gremlins will try and continue the ride.

"There is not one selfish player on this team," said Josh. "All of the running backs like each other and pull for each other."