Other than the film exchange, Karns City coach Ed Conto and St. Marys coach Joe Schlimm haven't seen much of each other's squads, pretty much what you'd expect for a non-conference, non-classification game.

"Anything can happen in the first game," said Conto. "We're just looking to work out the kinks."

Still, both coaches know what stands out as they prepare for their mutual season openers at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Karns City.

"I know they have a new coach, last year was his first year," said Conto on Schlimm, who had spent the previous 15 years at Elk County Catholic.

"They're a Class AAA school, a large school, but not real successful. The coach has been real successful.

"Looking at their roster, they're a fairly big team and have a large number of players," Conto added.

The Dutchmen went 2-7 overall and 1-3 in the D-9 League in Schlimm's first year and the program suffered its 19th consecutive losing campaign.

This year's team has 45 players on the roster.

"We try to create a little balance on offense," said Schlimm. "We look forward to coming down there and establishing a running game.

"We think that our passing game is set up by our running game. We like to utilize all three of our backs," Schlimm added.

Seniors Adam Cornelio (5-foot-9, 181-pounds) and Scott Schatz (6-0, 178) return to lead the ground attack and will try to replace leading rusher Adam Geer, who had 728 yards on 149 carries and 11 touchdowns in 2004.

"Both have good speed and certainly have good size, about 180 pounds, and run well," said Schlimm.

Senior quarterback Lucas Wendel returns healthy after an early-season injury a year ago curtailed his season.

As a sophomore, Wendel completed 38 of 94 passes for 574 yards, six touchdowns and six interceptions. Last year's replacement, Bryan Dempsey, returns as the backup.

"We lost, basically, four kids, so I think we have 16 lettermen back and 12 are starters," said Schlimm.

"We have high expectations and high hopes. We had a good off-season and we came through the pre-season healthy, so we're at full strength.

"I think this team will be a good one," he added.

As for the Gremlins, they will be led by quarterback Steve Black, who passed for nearly 1,300 yards and added 12 touchdowns last year.

"I think they have a fairly athletic football team," said Schlimm. "They have a good quarterback that's capable of throwing it, a decent tailback and their defense pursues very well."

The Gremlins will enter the game missing one of their starters, senior lineman Chad Turner, who was injured on the last play in a scrimmage against Slippery Rock.

"Chad broke a bone in his foot. Hopefully, he'll only be out a couple of games," Conto said.