FISHERTOWN, Bedford County — After a lackluster performance in the first half, Karns City’s offense returned to its dominating ground attack in Friday’s PIAA Class AA first-round football playoff game at Chestnut Ridge.

The Gremlins got all three of their touchdown drives and 245 of their 313 rushing yards in the second half of a 23-14 victory over the host Lions.

“At halftime, we talked to the kids (on the offensive line) and asked why they spent all those hours in the weight room,” said Gremlins’ coach Ed Conto. “We had to be more physical, and we started to pound it in the second half.”

The Lions led 7-3 at halftime, but found themselves on the short end of a 16-7 score early in the fourth quarter when they took over at their own 45-yard line. Senior quarterback Tyler Wiley led a 9-play, 55-yard march that resulted in his own 25-yard scoring run that cut Karns City’s edge to 16-14 with 7:58 left in the game.

Momentum swayed further toward Chestnut Ridge when a holding penalty on Karns City (11-1) on the ensuing kickoff placed the ball at the Gremlins’ 8. It turned out to be just a few more yards for the team’s stable of running backs to chew up.

The first four plays of the drive were carries by four players — Christian Turner, Collin Dunmyre, Tyler Dunn and Maverick Kelsea — who combined for 57 yards to move the ball to the Lions’ 35.

Chandler Turner then got his only carry of the game and he reeled off nine yards. Four plays later, Christian Turner scored from 11 yards out. Logan Moroney added a crucial point after to give KC a two-score advantage at 23-14 with 3:14 on the clock.

Kelsea intercepted Tyler Wiley moments later and the Lions never got the ball back.

Karns City now will play South Fayette next Saturday.