KC's plan is simple
KARNS CITY — It's hard to take your eyes off a talented football player like Jeannette's Terrelle Pryor.
Karns City coach Ed Conto hopes his squad doesn't fall into that trap when the teams meet in a PIAA Class AA quarterfinal game at 1 p.m. Saturday at Clarion University.
Pryor, a major Division I recruit who can all but punch his ticket to any school he'd like, has guided the Jayhawks to consecutive WPIAL championships and state runner-up finishes the past two seasons.
"That's the big thing," said Conto. "Everyone is responsible for their own guy. They run the option and we can't ask for more than they're asked to do. You have to play your position.
"We have to make tackles. He's such a good athlete. Obviously, with other teams, some may not have done a good job with that,"Conto added.
At 6-foot-6, 220 pounds, Pryor excels at quarterback and defensive back. He's completed 65 of 94 passes for 1,395 yards and 17 touchdowns and rushed for 1,432 yards on just 102 carries and 28 more scores.
He needs 145 yards passing and 219 rushing to eclipse 4,000 yards in both categories.
But teams can't afford to focus just on Pryor. Jordan Hall has caught 17 passes for 519 yards and six touchdowns, but has rushed 79 times for 678 yards and 15 touchdowns and James Derry 53 carries for 451 yards and eight scores.
"That's why they're so good," said Conto. "Jordan Hall is a phenomenal player, and Mike Matt (6-2, 220) at fullback is a very physical player.
"They're all good on that team. If you focus on one, the others can beat you. We have to play good defense. We can't worry about who's doing what," Conto added.
The offense has 12 players who have rushed for multiple touchdowns and the squad averages 10.3 yards per carry and totaled 79 rushing scores.
The Gremlins offense, led by quarterback Anthony Stimac (71-for-144, 1,508 yards, 20 touchdowns, eight interceptions), is very capable as well.The ground game has rushed for 41 touchdowns with a balanced attack led by Brett Green (64-581-9), Markus LaVan (75-476-6), Josh Stimac (47-453-7) and Anthony Stimac (73-367-8).Eight players have multiple touchdowns and eight have more than 100 yards rushing for Karns City (12-0).Jeannette has outscored its opponents 735-56 with five shutouts and have held five teams in single digits."They're a very physical football team," said Conto. "On film, they look like an outstanding defense. I don't see a weakness."You really have to execute well. When you run the play, you have to block. Any little slip-up, they'll smother you."I saw the Beaver Falls game and Beaver Falls had a 10-yard punt, a fumble and was intercepted on their first three possessions that led to touchdowns,"he added.In that WPIAL championship game at Heinz Field last Friday, Jeannette raced out to a 27-6 lead after the first quarter and 42-6 advantage at the break.Pryor rushed for only 166 yards on 12 carries and two touchdowns and completed five of six passes for 81 yards and two more scores.The point total was a Class AA WPIAL title game record and the team is 21 points away from setting the single-season state record of 755.Despite all the gaudy numbers the Jayhawks possess, Conto doesn't want his team to feel overwhelmed by it all.The Gremlins are coming off an impressive 50-14 decision over Moniteau in the District 9 championship final. Josh Stimac ran for two touchdowns and passed for another.Anthony Stimac threw for 206 yards on 10-of-15 passing and two touchdown strikes to Matt McConnell."Our kids have done a great job playing as a team," said Conto. "People have been telling the kids it can't be done and try and keep (Jeannette) under 30 points."Hopefully, someone will tell them they can win."
