KARNS CITY – If anyone still needed proof that Karns City is a legitimate state powerhouse in football this season, the Gremlins provided it with a convincing 30-13 romp of state-ranked Greenville Friday night at Karns City.

The Gremlins entered the game ranked No. 6 in the state in Class AA by the Patriot-News and No. 2 in the state by the Pennsylvania Football News (PFN), while Greenville came in ranked No. 6 in Class AAA by the Patriot-News and honorable mention by the PFN.

The game was scoreless until the final play of the first quarter. That is when Gremlin quarterback Erik Fuhrer scampered nine yards for the game’s first touchdown. Beau Rattigan added the extra point to give Karns City a 7-0 lead going to the second quarter.

On Greenville’s ensuing drive the Trojans drove the ball to the Karns City 1-yard line before Jeff Wagner kept Dennis Reynolds out of the end zone on a fourth down play.

Greenville appeared to be heading to good field position, though, after stopping the Gremlin on three plays and forcing a punt. But on the punt, the Trojans fumbled the football giving Karns City possession around midfield.

Karns City took advantage of the mistake when Billy Graham scooted into the end zone from 31 yards out. Rattigan’s extra point gave Karns City a 14-0 lead with 5:40 left in the first half.

Karns City then scored again with 2:29 left in the half when Graham burst into the end zone from 19 yards out breaking tackles along the way. Rattigan’s kick was true, and Karns City led 21-0.

The Gremlins weren’t done scoring in the half yet, as Mike Stephens was tackled in the end zone by Jeff Wagner for a safety with 29 seconds left in the half giving Karns City a 23-0 halftime lead.

Greenville tried to mount a comeback in the third quarter getting its first touchdown of the game on a 77-yard run by Stephens with 4:24 left in the quarter. Reynold’s extra point was good, and Karns City’s lead was down to 23-7.

Karns City, though, put a halt to the Greenville comeback plan when Brian Hilderbrand caught a 9-yard touchdown pass from Fuhrer with four seconds left in the third quarter. Rattigan’s kick gave the Gremlins a 30-7 lead going to the fourth quarter.

Greenville got a late touchdown by Justin Gulentz on a 26-yard pass from Phil Mason with 3:41 left but that was all the scoring for the game.

Graham led Karns City with 24 carries for 135 yards and two touchdowns, while Fuhrer was 11-for-22 passing for 156 yards and one passing touchdowns to go along with one rushing touchdown.

Hilderbrand was the to receiver with five grabs for 56 yards, while Ian Ferguson added two catches for 44 yards and Graham two catches for 27 yards.

Stephens led Greenville with 18 totes for 114 yards and a touchdown, while Mason was 6-for-16 for 75 yards and a touchdown while also throwing and interception.

Score by quarter

First quarter

KC – Erik Fuhrer 9 run (Beau Rattigan kick) :00

Second quarter

KC – Billy Graham 31 run (Rattigan kick) 5:40

KC – Graham 19 run (Rattigan kick) 2:29

KC – Safety (Jeff Wagner tackled Mike Stephens in end zone) :29

Third quarter

G – Stephens 77 run (Dennis Reynolds kick) 4:24

KC – Brian Hilderbrand 9 pass from Fuhrer (Rattigan kick) :04

Fourth quarter

G – Justin Gulentz 26 pass from Phil Mason (Pass failed) 3:41