KARNS CITY — The words spoken inside Karns City's locker room at halftime Friday night were relevant, but not as important as how the Gremlins responded to them.

KC had just surrendered two touchdowns to Clearfield in the final 85 seconds of the first half and trailed the Bison, 14-7, at the break.

The Gremlins' ground game, which had gained 88 yards in the first two quarters, reached another gear in the third period. They rumbled for 138 yards and three touchdowns in the 12-minute span, giving them a 14-point lead the Bison never recovered from as Karns City closed the regular season with a 35-27 victory at Diehl Stadium.

Braden Slater (35 yards), Nathan Hess (1) and backup quarterback Mason Martin (45) each scored in the decisive third quarter.

"I wish I could say it was a big speech that turned things around for us," said KC coach Joe Sherwin. "But it was just the normal stuff, focusing on what we needed to improve on in all three phases of the game."

The game proved costly on both sides. Brady Collins, Clearfield's 1,200-yard running back, left the game with injury and did not return after gaining 64 yards on 10 carries.

Both starting quarterbacks, Will Domico for the Bison and Eric Booher for the Gremlins (6-4), missed the second half with ankle injuries, though the one to Domico appeared more serious.

"The guys who played in place of them did really well," said Clearfield coach Tim Janocko. "We still made it a game and had a chance at the end, but this was a night when the bounces didn't go our way."

Carter Chamberlain scored on a 4-yard run for the Bison with 4:48 left in the game. Evan Davis' extra point cut KC's lead to eight points and Clearfield's defense forced a three-and-out and Janocko watched his offense take the field at its own 37 with 2:48 left.

The Bison reached KC's 35, but backup quarterback Jacob Samsel was sacked by Mason Bell on second down and two incompletions effectively ended the game.

Pacing KC’s ground attack was Slater, a sophomore who gained 82 yards on just six carries. Early in the fourth period, he had a 27-yard run, taking a Clearfield defender with him for the final 15 before finally being tackled.

“I’m third string, so I don’t get many carries, but I try to run with attitude every time I get the ball,” he said.

Four turnovers, three in the first half, loomed large in the Bison defeat. Domico was intercepted by Micah Rupp in the first quarter and Clearfield lost three fumbles.

"We haven't had a big problem with turnovers this season," said Janocko. "Those three in the first half, without those we probably would've had more than a 14-7 lead."

Carter Freeland had a great game on offense for Clearfield, rushing for 113 yards and catching six passes for 121 yards, including a 12-yard touchdown from Samsel with just five seconds left in the first half.

Most importantly for the Gremlins, they will enter the District 9 Class 2A playoffs after beating a very good Class 3A team in Clearfield.

“We knew they would make a push at the end, but we came up with a stop,” said Sherwin. “This does a lot for our confidence.”

Clearfield 0 14 0 13 — 27

Karns City 7 0 21 7 — 35

First Quarter

KC — Levi Hawk 19 run (Colson Ritzert kick), 8:31

Second Quarter

C — Carter Chamberlain 1 run (Evan Davis kick), 1:24

C — Carter Freeland 12 pass from Jacob Samsel (Davis kick), :05

Third Quarter

KC — Braden Slater 35 run (kick failed), 10:27

KC — Nathan Hess 1 run (Hawk run), 7:29

KC — Mason Martin 45 run (Ritzert kick), 2:51

Fourth Quarter

C — Chamberlain 2 run (kick failed), 9:40

KC — Martin 15 run (Ritzert kick), 5:54

C — Chamberlain 4 run (Davis kick), 4:48

Individual Statistics

Rushing: Clearfield, Brady Collins 10-64, Carter Chamberlain 14-65, Carter Freeland 15-113, Will Domico 4-19, Jacob Samsel 2-7. Karns City, Nathan Hess 5-24, Nate Garing 4-14, Levi Hawk 10-61, Braden Slater 6-82, Eric Booher 3-11, Zach Kelly 1-7, Cooper Coyle 6-17, Mason Martin 4-62.

Passing: Clearfield, Will Domico 3-4-53-1, Jacob Samsel 5-8-88-0. Karns City, Eric Booher 3-12-35-0, Mason Martin 1-2-14-0.

Receiving: Clearfield, Carter Freeland 6-121, Jacob Samsel 1-2, Isaac Putt 1-18. Karns City, Cooper Coyle 2-30, Nate Garing 1-5, Levi Hawk 1-14.