CLARION — Aaron Markle was running hard and running fast.

Quarterback Dylan Hipple was efficient. Brandon Collier was making plays all over the field on offense, defense and special teams.

The defense was swarming, recording six sacks and holding Kane to 14 yards rushing.

All was right with the Karns City football team in a 40-0 rout of Kane in the first round of the District 9 Class AA playoffs at Clarion University Saturday night.

Still, like any coach worth his weight in whistles, Karns City coach Ed Conto still sees room for improvement before the District 9 championship game against pass-happy Brockway.

"There are still things we can work on to be better," Conto said. "I'm never happy, usually. You always have to find something to look at and improve. They were hitting some pass stuff that we obviously have to fix for next week."

Markle rumbled for 156 yards and touchdown runs of 45, 13 and 65 in the first three quarters to give the Gremlins a 28-0 lead.

Kane (5-5) rarely threatened, and when the Wolves did, the Gremlins were able to turn them away with a big defensive play.

Kane turned the ball over four times, including an interception by Collier at the Karns City 10 that he returned 86 yards to set up a short touchdown run by J.R. Yough to put the finishing touches on the blowout.

"They are the returning district champion; They are good," said Kane coach Jason Barner. "We had multiple opportunities at different times, but we didn't capitalize."

Kane quarterback Alex Anderson was 14-of-27 passing for 205 yards, but also threw two interceptions.

Anderson was under constant pressure from Karns City's aggressive front.

"That's our game," Conto said. "We live on the edge. I'll give up two, three, four touchdowns through the air. I just don't want anyone running me over. Running you over is no fun. That's where you lose and that's where a lot of teams in this district are having problems."

Karns City (9-2) did the running over against Kane.

The Gremlins rolled up 321 yards rushing on 36 carries.

Hipple added 68 yards on nine attempts and fullback Jake Wagner, who scored on a 1-yard run late in the second quarter to give Karns City a 21-0 lead at the half, gained 50 yards on six rushes.

Hipple also was accurate in the passing game, completing 9 of 12 for 69 yards.

"Hipple's really throwing the ball well," Conto said. "He did a good job against Wilmington. In his junior year, he's really playing like a senior."

Kane running back Aire Paup caught eight passes for 109 yards against Karns City, which will face a team in Brockway that has a quarterback, Derek Buganza, who set the District 9 single-season passing record in a win against Moniteau in the other Class AA playoff game Saturday afternoon.

That's going to send Conto, his coaching staff and players into the film room to cram for the District 9 final.

"It's going to be interesting," Conto said. "I don't know (what we are going to do) yet. I have to look at the tapes. (Buganza) looks like a guard, but he has a nice release. He's accurate and he has a good, quick release. It's tough to get to him. There are several things we can do, but we have to study a lot of film."

Karns City 40, Kane 0

Kane 0 0 0 0 — 0Karns City 7 14 7 12 — 40K KC11 First Downs 1529-14 Rushes-Yards 36-321205 Passing Yards 7914-27-2 Passes (Comp.-Att.-Int.) 9-12-0219 Total Yards 4003-2 Fumbles-Lost 1-04-32 Penalties-Yards 8-57

First QuarterKC — Aaron Markle 45 run (Zach Kepple kick), :58

Second QuarterKC — Markle 13 run (Kepple kick), 5:34KC — Jake Wagner 1 run (Kepple kick), 4:42

Third QuarterKC — Markle 65 run (Kepple kick), 5:32

Fourth QuarterKC — Ethan Beale 8 run (kick failed), 9:19KC — J.R. Yough 2 run (run failed), 8:07

Individual StatisticsPassing: Kane, Alex Anderson 14-27-205-2. Karns City, Dylan Hipple 9-12-79-0.

Rushing: Kane, Arie Paup 10-36, Robert Leonard 1-8, Ricky Harp 2-8, Evan Depto 5-7, Logan Depto 3-6, Simon Gadley 2-(-1), Alex Anderson 6-(-50). Karns City, Aaron Markle 11-156, Dylan Hipple 9-68, Jake Wagner 6-50, Ethan Beale 4-21, Ethan Williams 2-9, Jesse Garing 1-7, Cody Coyle 1-6, J.R. Yough 1-2, Tyler Slagle 1-2.

Receiving: Kane, Arie Paup 8-109, Logan Depto 2-65, Evan Depto 2-3, Bruce Walters 1-10, Zach Holt 1-18. Karns City, Brandon Collier 3-44, Joe Fallecker 3-26, Ethan Beale 1-6, Brad Francis 1-3.