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LIONS-GREMLINS TO TANGLE IN KEY EARLY SEASON KSAC MATCH-UP |
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Clarion-Limestone (8-2 overall, 7-1 KSAC) at Karns City (11-1, 8-0) |
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Week One - 7 p.m. Friday Aug. 30 |
| KARNS CITY – Last season when Clarion-Limestone hosted
Karns City in Week One the Gremlins came away with a 25-7 victory handing
the Lions their lone KSAC loss while basically securing the KSAC title in
the opening week. This season the KSAC title could once again be on the
line, as these two fierce rivals meet on the turf at Karns City.
The Lions have a new coach with John Kundick replacing the legendary Clyde Conti, and C-L also has to find a way to replace a few key ingredients from last season’s team including running back Dan Alderton, quarterback J.J. Ferguson, wide receiver Justin McKissick, running back/wide receiver Chad Conti and wide receiver Ryan Smith. The first person many look to to pick up some of the slack will be sophomore quarterback Hayden Johnston who split time with Ferguson last season and in fact started all 10 games for the Lions. Johnston was 14-for-42 passing in 2001 for 299 yards and four touchdowns. He also ran the ball 40 times for 215 yards and three scores. Lining up with Johnston in the backfield will be fullback Ben Brooks, who returns for his fourth-year in the Lions backfield. Last season Brooks ran 68 times for 417 yards and five touchdowns. Joining Brooks will be Brendan Huwar, who takes Alderton’s place as the tailback. Last season Huwar rushed 59 times for 273 yards and two touchdowns. Brad Beggs will return as a starting wide receiver for C-L. In 2001 Beggs caught two passes for 32 yards. The strength for C-L’s offense should lie in the offensive line where Jordan Johnston, an an all-state selection by the Pennsylvania Football News in 2001, anchors a line that also returns Dave Ferguson, Dave Eggleton and Ron Frances. Joining the four returning players will be Dan Jeannerat and Matt Steele. Karns City also has to replace a lot of key components from last season’s District 9 Class AA championship team including wide receiver Brian Hilderbrand and Ian Ferguson, running back Billy Graham and tight end Beau Rattigan. The Gremlins do have one of the best quarterbacks in the district back in senior Erik Fuhrer, who started his first game for Karns City halfway through his sophomore year and hasn’t looked back. Last season Fuhrer was the third leading passer in the district going 86-for-161 for 1,546 yards and 16 touchdowns. Other key returning players for the Gremlins include guard/linebacker Jeff Wagner, guard/defensive end Mike Stimac, offensive/defensive lineman Jon Fox and fullback Matt Carnahan. Carnahan is the leading returning rusher for Karns City having carried the ball 34 times for 265 yards in 2001. Joining Carnahan in the backfield will be junior Mike Stitt and senior Jordan Collins, while senior Noll Steiner steps in at one of the players who will be at wide receiver. Nate Wilson will be at tight end along with Kevin Trimbur. |