Big loss no biggie
KARNS CITY — Most football teams would be concerned heading into the playoffs coming off a 55-9 loss in the regular-season finale.
But Karns City is not most football teams.
The Gremlins fell to powerhouse Wilmington by 46 points at home last week, but coach Ed Conto sees that as a good thing.
"I'd do it again," Conto said. "It's a learning experience. Playing weaker teams gives you a false sense of where you are at. We didn't play a bad game (against Wilmington). We were so close on a few things. This is the only way for my kids to get better."
Conto and the Gremlins hope to use the things they learned in their loss to the Greyhounds to their advantage against Kane in the semifinals of the District 9 Class AA playoffs at 5 p.m. Saturday at Clarion University.
Top-seeded Karns City (8-2) isn't smarting after the loss to Wilmington, Conto said.
"No, because we hit with them," Conto said. "Physically, we played with them. What we didn't have was the speed. Every little mistake we made, they took advantage of.
"Those were the same mistakes I have been harping on for weeks," he added.
Kane (5-4), the No. 4 seed, isn't as explosive as Wilmington, but it might be one of the best defensive teams Karns City has faced.
The Wolves have surrendering only 88 points in nine games and have recorded three shutouts.
"I think the kids have bought into the system," said Kane coach Jason Barner. "We put a lot of emphasis on it."
Senior linebacker Robert Kumher leads the team with 88 tackles and junior defensive end Marty Niklas has recorded 12Z\x sacks.
Niklas had four sacks and 10 tackles in a loss to Curwensville in the season finale.
"(Niklas) gets off the ball very well," Barner said. "He has good speed and can change directions well. He just has a nose for the quarterback and the ballcarrier."
The Wolves' offense has struggled at times, averaging 14.2 points per game. Kane has been shut out twice this season, including a 15-0 loss to Curwensville two weeks ago in its last regular-season game.
Quarterback Alex Anderson has completed 48-of-118 passes for 528 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions.
Arie Paup leads the Wolves in rushing with 621 yards on 140 carries and eight touchdowns. Kane is averaging only 3.9 yards per carry.
The Gremlins routed the Wolves 42-14 last year in the playoffs.
"They're a perennial power. They're who we want to be," Barner said. "We are a very small double-A school and we are trying to build a program, like Karns City, that wins year in and year out."
