How Karns City football’s rebuilt offensive line paved the way for another District 9 championship run
The “next man up” mentality is one often repeated in football.
Karns City (8-1) sophomore Hayden Taylor embodied it during Friday’s 36-20 win over Port Allegany, stepping in at center after usual starter and classmate Eli Ross was injured during practice.
“It was really just the next guy in,” standout senior quarterback Cole Johnston said.
Head coach Joe Sherwin’s team had to make adjustments before the season, too, inserting four new offensive linemen beside the group’s only returning starter, senior Shane Emrick.
The line has not missed a beat. Senior Jesse King and sophomore Celtan Hackwelder have done their part for a program that expects to be in the District 9 title mix each and every year.
According to MaxPreps, Karns City has rushed for 282.6 yards per game, while Johnston has passed for 1,050 yards and 12 touchdowns (and six interceptions).
“I think it’s been probably one of the best things that’s happened to us this year, the way those guys have really jelled and have taken off and have really allowed our offense to grow,” Sherwin said.
Johnston said the standard is set by previous generations. He looked up to past Gremlins teams, and now younger players are following veterans on the roster.
“I think it really helps repeat the cycle, (like), ‘Hey, we have an expectation to be big and strong and fast and physical,’” Johnston said. “And you get there (or) you get left behind.”
Approaching Friday’s regular-season finale against Oil City (4-4), the Gremlins have more they’d like to accomplish. The defending District 9 Class 2A champions are the No. 1 seed in the tournament this year and will face the winner of Friday’s Moniteau vs. Central Clarion game next week in the championship game at a site and time to be determined.
“No matter what it is, we are going to try our best in what we’re trying to do,” Geibel said about the Gremlins’ consistent expectations.
Geibel might as well have been talking individually, too. He moved from tight end to tackle this season, a switch that he wasn’t thrilled with at first but knew was best for the team. He likes being physical and took on the new task with a drive to stand out, knowing how important his part is in the purple machine.
“Instead of me running the ball and helping out that way, we have guys to do that, way better than I might be able to do,” Geibel said.
Guys like Bryce Galan (568 rushing yards, nine TDs), Owen Kaufman (377 yards, five TDs) and Tyson Frazier (356 yards, four TDs).
The Gremlins’ only blemish to this point came in a road matchup against Central Clarion on Oct. 2. Sherwin’s crew could very well see the Wildcats again soon with more at stake.
“We came into that game maybe not as humble as we should be,” Geibel said. “It sounds crazy but … we almost needed that loss to check us and realize we aren’t the best team ever or anything like that.”
“You can’t think too much of yourself,” Sherwin said. “I think the big thing is you have the mindset that you want to keep improving, and for that to happen, I think you have to be humble about yourself, like, ‘Hey, I made a mistake. I’m willing to fix it and get better.’ I think that’s a large part of our battle.”
Johnston never doubted the fresh faces blocking for him, which has kept him from taking many big hits standing back in the pocket. Geibel doesn’t even want Johnston to have aches after games. The signal caller pushed them with a positive attitude, understanding that everybody makes mistakes.
“If something goes wrong, (I) just keep encouraging them, because it’s only gonna help,” Johnston said.
