KARNS CITY — Karns City and Chestnut Ridge are becoming a little chummy.

For the third time in as many seasons, the Gremlins and Lions are meeting in the PIAA Class AA football playoffs. Kickoff this year is at 7 p.m. Friday at Chestnut Ridge.

“We might as well starting putting each other on our regular schedules,” Chestnut Ridge coach Max Shoemaker said.

KC (10-1) has ended the Lions' season in their first two meetings, posting a 35-29 victory in 2012 and a 35-14 verdict last year.

“We've gotten to know what they do pretty well, but they know us, too,” Gremlins coach Ed Conto said. “I don't think there's an advantage there either way.”

Shoemaker, in his seventh year, said the 2014 edition of his football team might be his best yet. The Lions (10-2) have shut out three of their last five opponents and are coming off playoff wins of 35-0 over Westinghouse and 17-14 over Bedford.

Sean Van Meter booted a 41-yard field goal with 1:51 left last week, snapping a tie and handing Chestnut Ridge its third consecutive District 5 title.

“He's been the hero around school this week,” Shoemaker said. “Sean's been with us for three years now. He has a strong leg and he's been very dependable.”

Van Meter has converted nine of 12 field goal attempts over the past two years, with five of them coming from 40 yards or farther. His career long is 44 yards.

The Lions are led offensively by quarterback Tyler Wiley, who has completed 93 of 155 passes for 1,250 yards, 12 touchdowns and six interceptions. He's also rushed for 744 yards and 15 scores.

Matt Wiley, his cousin, has rushed for 819 yards and nine touchdowns from his fullback position.

“We run the option and can throw the ball effectively out of that package,” Shoemaker said.

The quarterback has plenty of targets as Bryan Feather has 21 catches for 382 yards and seven TDs, Trent Crouse 20 catches for 254 yards, Colby Hillegas 15 for 146. Feather is also averaging 30.8 yards per kickoff return, bringing back a pair of them for touchdowns.

“We've got a good crop of receivers and that's a strength for us,” Shoemaker said. “It's hard to shut down any one kid.

“Of course, Karns City has a whole team like that. They just come at you in waves.”

Friday's game will be played on grass and Conto is concerned about what factor the weather may play.

“This game could be on a muddy field and they've got an excellent big back,” the Karns City coach said. “A bad field would neutralize our speed on the perimter.”

The Gremlins are hoping to get running back Tristan Rhoades back Friday. They held him out of last week's 49-12 District 9 title win over St. Marys.

Rhoades has 797 total yards and 13 touchdowns rushing and receiving. He also has three interceptions defensively.

“Pulled muscles are tricky. They're hard to gauge,” Conto said. “Tristan was suited up last week, but would have only played in an emergency situation. We're hoping he's OK now.”

Slotback-cornerback Tyler Dunn and quarterback-linebacker Cody Deal are out for the season with injuries. Ethan Conto returned to the KC lineup last week.

Collin Dunmyre has rushed for 486 yards and 10 TDs while Caleb King has thrown for 903 yards and seven scores. Logan Moroney is the top receiving threat with 22 catches for 277 yards.

“They come off the ball so well offensively and defensively,” Shoemaker said. “Rhoades is a special player, Dunmyre's a speed guy ... We have to be ready to match their aggressiveness.”

Defensively, inside line acker Matt Wiley has 106 tackles for the Lions while outside linebacker Crouse has 72. Feather is an effective corner and Hillegass has three interceptions.

As a team, Chestnut Ridge has generated 13 sacks and 20 takeaways.

“They're a little more versatile than St, Marys,” Conto said. “They can throw the ball farther downfield and they do more with their fullback.

“They will definitely present a different challenge for us.”