KARNS CITY — As good as Karns City quarterback Anthony Stimac was against Clarion on Friday, the Gremlins defense was that much better.

Stimac completed nine of his 17 passes for 194 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for a team-high 55 yards on eight carries.

The defense also came up huge, limiting the Bobcats to 34 total yards — including four yards rushing on 26 carries — to help Karns City snare a 31-7 victory.

"Our defense played tremendous," said Karns City coach Ed Conto. "It was a good-hitting game. We played a consistent team defense."

The Gremlins (6-0, 4-0) allowed the Bobcats just two first downs, including one on a penalty, minus-1 yard rushing and 12 total yards in the first half in building a 24-7 lead.

"Karns City played a very solid defense," said Clarion coach Larry Wiser. "Most of the yards we had in the first half were on penalties."

Stimac completed 32-yard pass on the fourth play of the game to give Karns City the early 6-0 lead.

The Gremlins added a 37-yard field goal by Matt McConnell and Brett Green picked up a 1-yard scoring run with 2:45 left in the first quarter that gave Karns City a 16-0 lead.

Stimac's interception of a Kyle Zacour pass helped set up the third scoring drive.

Clarion received its lone score when Stimac was intercepted by Jarrod Carpin, who returned the ball 49 yards for a touchdown with 5:55 left before halftime.

The Gremlins responded with another score, this time a six-play, 60-yard drive, capped by Josh Callender's 16-yard reception from Stimac.

It was on that drive that Bobcats running back James Seidle, who entered the game with 599 yards rushing, left the field with an unknown injury. He was flown by helicopter to a Pittsburgh hospital at halftime.

The second half was marred by lackluster play and penalties by both sides. The Gremlins finished the contest with 12 penalties for 128 yards, the Bobcats eight for 85 yards.

"The first half, we played a really good game," said Conto. "In the second half, we were putting in subs and we started getting sloppy."

Stimac was picked off twice in the game, but he threw his third scoring pass, a 47-yard pass play to Stephon Conto, with 4:07 left in the third quarter to close out the scoring.

"Anthony was on," Coach Conto said. "He played a beautiful first half. He ran the ball well, threw the ball well, led the team well."