Karns City's Braden Slater holds the Butler Eagle Scoring Trophy, which he earned for carrying the ball 61 times, running 689 yards with 11.3 yards per carry, scoring 18 touchdowns plus 55 more points as a kicker with a total of 163 points. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

Karns City football coach Joe Sherwin knew Braden Slater would be a key contributor to the Gremlins’ fortunes this fall.

Along with contributing to the team’s multi-faceted rushing attack, the senior was the clear-cut choice to take over as the team’s placekicker following the graduation of Zach Kelly.

But the season Slater turned in exceeded all expectations.

While carrying the ball just 61 times, Slater chewed up 689 yards for an incredible 11.3 yards per carry. He scored 18 touchdowns in the regular season and booted 55 more points as a kicker for a total of 163 points. His efforts earned him the 2024 Butler Eagle Scoring Trophy.

“I knew he was good, but I didn’t anticipate him having the season he did,” Sherwin said. “He proved to be very dynamic with the ball in his hands. ... Not to mention the job he did on defense (36 tackles, five passes defensed and two interceptions while playing mostly as a defensive back).”

Slater’s teammate, Hunter Scherer, was second with 96 points. Mars’ Eric Kasperowicz and Knoch’s Codi Mullen both scored 90 points to tie for third.

KC’s regular season was six quarters shorter than it should have been. The team’s finale against Wilmington was canceled so the Gremlins could make up a District 9, Region 1 contest against Saint Marys that was postponed Sept. 6 due to inclement weather. When the Gremlins and Flying Dutchmen met Oct. 25 at Diehl Stadium, Saint Marys refused to play the second half after KC had built a 61-0 lead over the first two periods.

As a junior, Slater rushed for 353 yards and three touchdowns. He figured to get more carries after the team’s top ground gainer, Luke Cramer, joined Kelly in graduating in the spring.

“I was looking forward to being one of the top guys running the ball with Hunter Scherer and Owen Heginbotham,” Slater said. “After a few games, I got into a groove.”

Karns City's Braden Slater helped lead the Gremlins back to the District 9 championship game. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

That groove became a deep trench that cut through the heart of Redbank Valley’s defense in a game Oct. 4 in New Bethlehem.

On just 10 rushing attempts, Slater gouged the Bulldogs for 194 yards and five touchdowns in KC’s rout. He added another score on a kickoff return.

“After last year’s game against Redbank (a 35-6 loss), it felt good to run all over them,” Slater said. “It was fun to lead the charge.”

Slater credited his teammates on the line for much of his success. That group included starters Sean Slaughenhoupt, CJ Emrick, Shane Emrick, Kolby Blair and Cam Ealy.

“The guys on the line were such a big part of our ability to run the ball,” he said. “They opened up holes so that I could get 5 yards past the line of scrimmage, and at that point, it was just a matter of using my speed or juking a defensive back.”

As for handling placekicking duties, Slater said: “There’s more pressure with that because all eyes are on you when you’re out there to kick. I got more comfortable with it as the season went on.”

Slater hopes to play football in college.

“I haven’t decided yet where I am going,” he said. “If I can play at the next level, great, and if not, I am happy with the way my career ended.”