CLARION – Since it means a District 9 title is at stake, you can figure that the Brockway Rovers and Karns City Gremlins don’t mind seeing each other in the postseason.

For the fourth straight year, the two teams will clash in the District 9 Class AA Championship game. This year, the encounter is at Clarion University’s Memorial Stadium Saturday at 7 p.m.

While both teams are familiar with each other, perhaps their even more familiar with the scenario. It’s the fifth straight year the Gremlins (8-2) are in the title game while the undefeated Rovers (10-0) are making their fourth straight trip.

Brockway won last year’s title, 14-7, the Rovers’ first since 1987.

Karns City, with five championships under its belt, can tie Smethport for the district-lead in football titles with a win over the Rovers.

Saturday’s winner advances to the state playoffs and will play the District 10 champion at a D-10 site next Saturday. Slippery Rock and Girard also play Saturday night in the D-10 finals in New Wilmington.

Both teams won hard-fought games last week to advance to the finals. Brockway held off a stubborn Moniteau squad, 20-12, while Karns City pulled away from Brookville in the second half for a 21-13 victory.

On paper, it’ll be a matchup of two teams that will look to the running game to pace their efforts.

Brockway ranks second to Bradford in rushing yards per game at 256.6. Amazingly, the Rovers have three running backs that are separated by two carries with over 650 yards. Seniors Jeremy Sickeri (120 carries, 847 yards, 7 TDs), Seth Rhed (119-737, 16) and Andy Martino (118-656-9) make up the balanced backfield.

Sickeri rushed for 112 yards against Moniteau, including a big 81-yard TD run just after he recovered a Moniteau fumble. The sequence was the key to the Rovers winning the game.

But the Rovers can pass if needed, especially last week when Moniteau’s defensive scheme crowded the line of scrimmage and forced Brockway to pass. Senior quarterback John Himes did, passing for 127 yards in the first half. For the season, Himes has been effective, passing for 832 yards and 8 TDs.

Karns City doesn’t fall far from the Rovers in team rushing, ranking fifth in District 9. Junior Josh Fiscus has gained 1,026 yards with 19 touchdowns. His yardage ranks fifth and TDs tied for the district lead with Clarion-Limestone’s Brendan Huwar.

Last week, Fiscus rushed for 102 yards on 17 carries. He scored two touchdowns, the second a 39-yarder that came just after a Fiscus interception. The run put the Gremlins up 21-7 early in the fourth quarter.

The Gremlins have other threats. Quarterback Mike Croyle has passed for 913 yards and four touchdowns. Mike Stitt (424 yards, 6 TDs), Mike Stimac (340 yards, 4 TDs) and Jake Sweeney (282 yards, 3 TDs) join Fiscus in the backfield.

Receivers Chris Pickett (266 yards, 3 TDs) and Dave Black (263 yards, 1 TD) are Croyle’s top targets. Pickett ran a punt back 62 yards for a score against Brookville.

Karns City is playing its 19^th playoff game, sporting a 10-8 record. The Gremlins have won five district titles (1999-2001, 1997, 1993). Brockway is making its 14^th playoff appearance, sporting a 7-6 record. The Rovers own two district titles, last year and in 1987 when they beat Karns City for the Class AA crown.

Brockway leads the all-time head-to-head series between the former Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference/Little 12 rivals. The Rovers are 19-14 against the Gremlins.