This is definitely not your older brother's Clarion-Limestone football team.

The Lions, who have enjoyed a great deal of success over the past several years, have jumped out to a 1-1 start, but it looks like they could be in for a long season.

With an injury-depleted roster, Clarion-Limestone will travel to Karns City (2-0 overall and in the Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference) Friday for a 7 p.m. kickoff.

"To be honest, we're facing a lot of adversity," said fourth-year coach Todd Smith. "It's just been injury after injury. Three of our four senior captains (Kyle Jones, Ryan Reddinger and Jesse Zahoran) are injured.

"We're down to 27 healthy kids and 15 are freshmen. It's been really frustrating. Every time we think we're getting someone back, someone else gets hurt,"Smith added.

The Lions have been among the top teams in District 9 since 2000 and are 31-5 in Smith's first three years.

After a 42-6 season-opening loss to Moniteau, the Lions held off pesky A-C Valley for 14-6 win. Harry Cooper rushed for 115 yards on 17 carries and scored a touchdown while Jones added 68 yards on four carries before leaving with an injury.

Freshman quarterback Dan Miller completed six of 15 passes for 62 yards.

"I think Dan has a great attitude," said Smith. "He's gotten better through his first two scrimmages and first two games. He'll be a great player. He still has some things he's got to go through."

Freshmen running backs Jace Rhoades and Sean Kennedy are also expected to see playing time.

Karns City coach Ed Conto is not treating the Lions like a battered team. He's not underestimating Smith, either.

"That's the key. He's a tremendous coach," said Conto. "He throws a lot of formations, and if you don't line up right, it'll be for an easy score.

"We're young and we have to line up and not give up a freebie. Last week we gave up a freebie to Hickory and we also gave up a freebie to St. Marys.

"We've got to stop that. We have a couple of key injuries, too. Our center, Earl Everetts and his brother Joey. Josh Stimac broke his arm against St. Marys,"Conto added.

Conto hopes to have junior running back Brett Green return from a pre-season knee injury which can only help the Gremlins (2-0), who defeated Hickory 28-25 in overtime after falling behind 25-7 in the third quarter.

Matt Endlish passed for 110 yards and a touchdown while the running game churned out 93 yards on 40 carries.

"That game was a big learning curve," said Conto. I know in the future we'll do things differently. (Rashad Campbell, who rushed for 235 yards and two scores) had a lot of cutbacks. I'm not blaming the kids. We just need to make some adjustments.

"I was pleased with the special teams. Hickory is used to scoring every game on special teams, but we were able to pin them deep," Conto added.

"I think Karns City has a very solid team," said Smith. "Eddie is a good friend of mine and he does a good job with them. They are balanced at the skill positions.

"That was a big win against Hickory, to come all the way back like that."