KARNS CITY — For the third time in four weeks, Karns City's football team finds itself facing a fellow District 9 contender.

The Gremlins (6-1) take on Ridgway (5-2) at 7 p.m. Friday in Johnsonburg.

“They run multiple formations and we have to make sure we're in the proper defensive set for each one,” KC coach Joe Sherwin said. “We have to read our keys defensively.

“Offensively, we can't make mistakes and we're going to have to throw the ball effectively to keep them honest.”

Karns City defeated Brookville on the road three weeks ago before losing a close game at home to Saint Marys. The Gremlins are coming off a 41-12 win over Kane.

While Ridgway is coming off a 33-14 loss to Central Clarion and has dropped two of its last three games. Sherwin expects to get the Elkers' best.

“Central Clarion is playing better now,” the coach said. “They had some issues early in the season with cancellations, but they're returning to form now. I expect them to make a big push late in the season here.”

The Gremlins' running game was at the top of its game last week as Jayce Anderson rushed for 107 yards and two touchdowns, Luke Garing 91 yards and two scores. The pair combined for only 14 carries.

Eric Booher completed six of 10 passes for 66 yards, with Micah Rupp pulling in five of those aerials for 63 yards.

Sherwin lauded Rupp for coming up with a big fumble recovery against Kane. Austin Brown had a key interception as well.

While Ridgway and Karns City did not play each other last season, the Elkers defeated the Gremlins in their three meetings in 2018-19. After posting a 19-13 win over KC in the 2019 regular season, Ridgway scored a 34-27 win in the playoffs that year.

Ridgway defeated KC, 28-6, in 2018.

Elkers coach Mark Heindl, in his 14th season, has led Ridgway to winning seasons in six of the last seven years.

“They can do a lot of things with the football,” Sherwin said. “Two of their players (Cam Marciniak and Dom Allegretto) are among their rushing and receiving leaders. They are dynamic players.”

Quarterback Jonathan Hinton has completed 46 of 65 passes for 767 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception. Allegretto has 19 catches for 292 yards and two TDs, Marciniak 14 catches for 209 and four scores.

“They throw a lot of high-percentage passes and they're effective with it,” Sherwin said.

Allegretto has rushed for 457 yards and nine touchdowns, Marciniak 375 yards and four TDs. Eric Salberg and Will Howard have run for 260 and 259 yards and three TDs each, respectively.

Defensively, Ridgway is led by inside linebacker Hunter Wall, who is listed with 93 tackles, 60 solo stops and nine tackles for loss.

“It's hard to believe those numbers,” Sherwin admitted.

Defensive end Dan Park has 5.5 quarterback sacks, outside linebacker Tyler Merritt 47 tackles. Marciniak, Allegretto and Park have 43 tackles each.

“Their defense has forced a lot of turnovers and they've been helped by those,” Sherwin said. “We're practicing ball security and staying on our blocks this week.

“We need to improve our pass rush, make our linebackers better at playing their spots in our zone anget our defensive backs to run to the ball a little better. Those will be big factors this week.”

Heindl could not be reached for comment.