KARNS CITY — Central Clarion knows how to score points.

Coming into the Friday night’s contest against Karns City (3-3), Central Clarion (6-0) averaged 59 points per game and in the early going, the Gremlin defense was up to the task, holding Clarion to just 15 points in the first half.

But the strong arm of Jase Ferguson and the legs of Brady Quinn were too much in the second half, as Central Clarion went on to defeat Karns City 50-15 Friday night at Diehl Stadium.

“(Ferguson) is obviously a very good player,” Karns City coach Joe Sherwin said. “He hurt us some times, but I liked the effort that we had and I think going forward good things are in store for us.”

Before Ferguson even got a chance to throw the ball, he broke the backs of the Gremlins on their opening drive.

Karns City was eating up clock and running the ball with authority on the game’s opening drive, but Ferguson had enough, stripping the ball from the Karns City runner and returning it 90 yards the other way for the game’s opening score.

“That was a huge momentum swing,” Central Clarion coach Dave Eggleton said. “Even if they didn’t score there, they were probably going to feel good about that drive. They pinned us pretty deep and when Jase (Ferguson) took the ball the other way, that’s just deflating on their end.”

Things did unravel for the Gremlins in the second half, but there was plenty to take away from the first half, as Karns City held one of the highest scoring offenses to 15 first-half points.

“We got some sacks, we got an interception, fumble recovery,” Sherwin said. “We did some good things, but just not enough of them to be victorious tonight.”

The Gremlin offense did find life once the second half started, outscoring Central Clarion in the third quarter 15-14.

That was sparked by a steady running attack behind Luke Cramer and Hunter Scherer.

The fourth quarter told a different story however, as Central Clarion scored 21 unanswered points to end the game and finish with a 35-point victory.

“I thought we came out in the second half and played more physical up front,” Eggleton said. “We ran the ball really well and Jase (Ferguson) made some really nice throws. The play action set that up nice.”

Up next, Karns City will travel to Punxsutawney and hope to get back on the winning track after getting wins in three straight games after starting the season 0-2.

“We can’t take any weeks off,” Sherwin said. “(Punxsutawney) is a good football team. We are going to have our hands full with them. Just got to keep working hard and keep improving.”

Central Clarion 8 7 14 21 – 50

Karns City 0 0 15 0 – 15

First quarter

C – Jase Ferguson 90 fumble return (Dawson Smail 2-pt) 3:44

Second quarter

C – Mason Burford 13 pass from Ferguson (Thomas Uckert kick) 4:35

Third quarter

C – Hayden Hinderman 14 pass from Ferguson (Uckert kick) 9:53

K – Luke Cramer 1 run (Cramer 2-pt) 5:42

C – Burford 57 pass from Ferguson (Uckert kick) 4:52

K – Cramer 18 run (Zach Kelly kick) :35

Fourth quarter

C – Tommy Smith 30 pass from Ferguson (Uckert kick) 11:52

C – Ferguson 22 run (Uckert kick) 5:21

C – Noah Harrison 29 run (Uckert kick) :40

Individual Statistics

Rushing: Central Clarion, Jase Ferguson 7-3, Brady Quinn 6-91, Noah Naser 7-66, Noah Harrison 8-60. Karns City, Cole Johnston 7-18, Hunter Scherer 15-47, Luke Cramer 15-73, Braden Slater 3-6, Zach Kelly 2-14.

Passing: Central Clarion, Jase Ferguson 9-16-170-1. Karns City, Cole Johnston 6-11-34-0.

Receiving: Central Clarion, Kohen Kemmer 1-15, Mason Burford 4-94, Brady Quinn 2-30, Dawson Smail 1-17, Ian Hoke 1-14. Karns City, Luke Cramer 1-6, Shane Peters 1-6, Zach Kelly 2-17, Hunter Scherer 2-5.