Early in the fourth quarter the Gremlins were clinging to a 14-10 lead, but Central Mountain was knocking at the door at the Karns City 1-yard line.

But the Wildcats fumbled the football at the one, and Karns City’s Erik Fuhrer picked up the loose ball returning in 99 yards for a touchdown.

Instead of the Wildcats potentially having a 17-14 lead, Karns City led 21-10.

Things fell apart for Central Mountain after that. A Matt Carnahan 4-yard run made it 28-10, and a 12-yard run by Jordan Collins made it 35-10.

Central Mountain was able to score with a 1:34 left but it was a little too late.

The Wildcats had taken a 3-0 lead on a 35-yard field goal by Chris Gould six seconds into the second quarter, but Karns City led 7-3 at halftime thanks to a 46-yard run by Carnahan halfway through the second quarter.

Central Mountain went back on top on a 26-yard pass from Sean Hanna to Justin Wilson with 3:46 left in the third quarter.

But Karns City went ahead for good on a 1-yard run by Carnahan with 24 seconds left in the third quarter.

Central Mountain outgained Karns City 338 yards to 252 including 213 to 61 in the air. But the Gremlins outrushed the Wildcats 191-125. The Wildcats held the ball for 28:32 to Karns City’s 19:28. But the Gremlins scored on three plays of 10 yards or more including two of 40 or more.

Carnahan led Karns City with 17 carries for 106 yards and three scores, while Fuhrer added three carries for 30 yards. He was also 3-for-11 passing for 53 yards.

Jeremy Johnson rushed 18 times for 120 yards for Central Mountain, while Hanna was 9-for-22 passing for 153 yards and a score. He also threw an interception.