KARNS CITY GETS FIRST EVER PIAA PLAYOFF WIN

PIAA Class AA First Round

Karns City 32, North Star 14

Nov. 22, 2008

Playoff Home

By Andy Close

CLARION – Karns City used a balanced attack led by quarterback Anthony Stimac to beat District 5 champion North Star 32-14 in the first round of the PIAA Class AA playoffs Saturday afternoon at Clarion University’s Memorial Stadium.

It was the first-ever PIAA playoff win for Karns City, which was 0-6 in PIAA playoff games going into the game.

“It’s a great win for the kids, and that’s what it is all about,” said Karns City head coach Ed Conto.”      

The wintry conditions seemed to slow down the Gremlins early, as they led just 13-6 at halftime before quickly assuming control of the game in the third quarter.    

Starting from their own 42-yard line to open the second half, the Gremlins were able to quickly move the ball down the field.  Stimac’s 29-yard run followed by cousin Josh Stimac’s 27-yard scamper set up Karns City with a first-and-goal from the 3-yard line. Jake Wagner took it the remaining three yards on the very next play to put the Gremlins up 19-6.                  

Karns City was able to shut down the Cougar offense on the ensuing possession forcing a turnover on downs at their own 48-yard line.

The Gremlins were once again were able to make quick work of the short field. On third down Anthony Stimac raced down the sideline 40 yards to the Cougar 3-yard line.  Cousin Josh punched it into the end zone on the very next play and the lead was 26-6 midway through the third quarter.

“The kids listened to what we told them at halftime,” Conto said.  “We were able to settle down and run the ball more effectively in the second half.”

Karns City was able to put the game away less than two minutes later as a bad punt by North Star once again set up the Gremlins with excellent field position at the Cougar 32-yard line. 

Jake Wagner made them pay as he took the hand-off on the very next play and raced 32 yards into the end zone to give Karns City a commanding 32-6 lead late in the third quarter.

North Star was able to find the end zone late in the fourth quarter as Cory Kaltenbaugh connected with Lucas Zellem on an 8-yard touchdown pass to make it 32-14.

The Cougars looked good early as they took the opening drive of the game 88 yards on nine plays with a Kaltenbaugh to Alijah Pertrilla 34-yard touchdown capping the drive and giving them the early 6-0 lead.                        

The lead was short lived, however, as Anthony Stimac broke free on a 59-yard touchdown run with 2:24 remaining in the first quarter that coupled with J.J. Grenninger’s extra point gave the Gremlins a 7-6 lead.

“That’s what we expect from him,” said Conto of Stimac’s big play.  “He’s been a real money player for us all year long.”             

On the ensuing possession, Josh Callender intercepted Kaltenbaugh’s pass and raced 32 yards down to the 1-yard line.

Aaron Markle scored on the very next play to make it a 13-6 game.

Anthony Stimac was once again the catalyst for the Gremlin offense, carrying the ball five times for 140 yards while adding 57 yards through the air.

Callender and Dan Wolf led a strong defensive effort for the Gremlins with two interceptions each.

Karns City will now move on to play District 7 champion Aliquippa, who defeated Beaver Falls 8-6 on Saturday.

“It’s going to be fun,” Conto said.  “We’re going to go down and mix it up with the WPIAL champions and see what happens.”

The game is scheduled for next Friday night at 7 p.m. at Pine-Richland High School.

KARNS CITY 32, NORTH STAR 14

North Star      6          0          0          8                      14

Karns City     7          6          19        0                      32

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter

NS- Alijah Pertrilla 34 pass from Cory Kaltenbaugh (Conversion failed)     8:19

KC- Anthony Stimac 59 run   (Grenninger kick)        2:24

2nd Quarter

KC - Levi Buck 1 run (Kick failed)       11:56

3rd Quarter

KC-  Jake Wagner 3 run (Conversion failed) 10:06

KC-  Josh Stimac   3 run  (Grenninger kick)   6:00

KC-  Jake Wagner  32 run (Kick failed)                     4:47

4th Quarter

NS- Lucas Zellem 8 pass from Kaltenbaugh (Kaltenbaugh to Pertrilla two point conversion)                      5:40

Team Stats

Team Stats                              KC                              NS

First Downs                            12                                13

Rushes-Yards                          38-324             31-154

Passing Yards                         57                                229

Com-Att-Int                            6-11-1                          12-30-4

Total Yards                             381                                          383

Fumbles-Lost                          3-2                               1-0

Penalties-Yards                       4-25                             6-40

Punts-Avg.                              3-35.5                          3-3-27.0

Individual Stats

Rushing:  Karns City:  Anthony Stimac 5-140, J.Stimac 7-54, M. LaVan 8-38, J. Wagner 3-35, J.Callender 5-13, L.Buck 2-5, A. Markle 1-4, J.R. Yough 1-6, C. Slomers 4-20, Z. Barney 1-1, J. Garing 1-8.  North Star:  M. Knisley 13-36, J. Kuncher 9-33, R. Meehleib 3-12, C. Kaltenbaugh 1-1, L. Zellem 2-25, A Pertrilla 3-56.

Passing: Karns City:  Anthony Stimac 6-11 57 yards, 1 INT.  North Star:  Kaltenbaugh 12-29, 229, 2 td, 3int, Kuncher 0-1, INT

Receiving:  Karns City:  J. Callender 2-14, M. LaVan 1 (minus) 4, J. Stimac 1-24, Cody Lakin 1-(minus) 2, Chris Price 1-25.  North Star:  A. Pertrilla 6-124, L. Zellem 5-80, Shaffer 1-25

Interceptions:  Dan Wolf 2, Josh Callender 2