KARNS CITY(9-2) vs. SHARON (10-1)

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KARNS CITY, SHARON CLASH IN PIAA CLASS AA TILT

BROOKVILLE - It will be a clash of the titans when District 9 champion Karns City (9-2) faces touted District 10 champion Sharon (10-1) in a first-round PIAA Class AA playoff match-up at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, at Brookville High School.

The Gremlins are fresh off a 36-8 thrashing of Brockway Saturday, Nov. 11 to claim the D-9 crown and are starting to peak at the right time.

"The team is really starting to come together," Karns City coach Ed Conto said. "The young kids that have been playing for us for most of the season are turning it on. This is a young team and an excited team. They are having fun, playing well and have looked sharp. 

"These guys think they can win, and a win (over Sharon) should not be considered an upset."

Evidence of Karns City's excellence, besides being on a five-game winning streak, has been its margin of victory in its playoff games, defeating Port Allegany by 35 points (49-14) and dispatching Brockway by 28 points.

Against the Rovers, Jim Belles ran for 196 yards and scored four touchdowns, helping Karns City to repeat as D-9 Class AA champions and claiming its third district title in four years. The Gremlins rushed for 317 yards and outgained Brockway 351-260.

"Belles ran hard and is a good open-field runner," Conto said. "One thing that he was doing that I was really impressed with was he was lowering his shoulder and putting guys on the ground. It really silenced the people who thought he was just a cutting-type back. He has a lot of potential and is only goign to get better. We haven't seen anything yet."

Brockway's Aaron Cantafio, the leading rusher in D-9, gained 129 yards on 31 carries but failed to score a touchdown. It was only the second time in the season Cantafio didn't score a touchdown.

"(Cantafio) gained some yards," Conto said, "but our young linebackers (Matt Carnahan, Joel Sweeney, and Jeff Wagner) played well. I think if we would have had a full, healthy defense we could of held him to less yardage. They got the job done."

But the Gremlins did suffer a big loss in the game, losing Beau Rattigan for the rest of the season with a broken leg. Rattigan was injured on the first play of the game.

"Not having him is a big loss," Conto said. "He is a strong fullback, a tough linebacker and was doing a good job as our extra point and field goal kicker. He was making everything."

Conto will have starting quarterback Erik Fuhrer pick up the kicking duties.

"He will be able to do the job," Conto said.

Conto and company realize that defeating Sharon will be a difficult task.

The Tigers crushed Girard 35-0 last week and is currently ranked second in the state by the PA Football News. Sharon gained 464 yards against Girard. Running back Carmone Parchman gained 283 yards on 25 carries as the Tigers ran for 408 yards.

"Sharon was a very good team last year," Conto said. "They are better now than they were, but we are a better as well. Hopefully, we have bridged that gap."

Conto thinks Sharon's team speed will be an obstacle. "They have fast receivers and backs. The receivers succeed on a lot of timing routes, and the backs hit the hole and make moves.

"We are going to have to tackle well. We will try to jam the receivers at the line and get pressure on the quarterback. Against the run, we need to contain them and get help to tackle. They have great speed."

On offense, Conto wants his troops to be opportunistic and play strong fundamentally.

"Sharon plays 4-3 a lot but will also show a six-man front. They dare teams to throw to win and test their corners. The cornerbacks are quick, smart players. Teams have broke big runs on them and break away 10 yards down the field, but get caught and brought down.

"Offensively, we can't make mistakes and let our line take over. Our line can do the job, but they have to play consistently. We also have to score when we get the chance to." 

Karns City lost to eventual D-10 Class AAA champion Wilmington 3-0 earlier in the season, missing on two field goal attempts.