BROOKVILLE — There’s no substitute for speed and in Karns City’s case Friday night, no answer, either.

The Gremlins led the host Raiders 14-7 in the second quarter before being on the wrong end of two long scoring plays.

First, receiver Sam Krug turned a short pass from Charlie Krug into a 50-yard touchdown that tied the game.

Then as the Gremlins were attempting to regain the lead before halftime, Jack Pete intercepted a Cole Johnston pass and raced 77 yards for the touchdown that put the Raiders up for good in a 44-14 victory.

“We played them twice last year and knew they had a lot of speed returning this year,” said KC coach Joe Sherwin, “but No. 21 (Pete) did not play last year.”

In fact, Pete, a senior, had not played the last two years, but decided to take to the gridiron for his senior season.

Pete is a standout sprinter for Brookville’s track team. His speed again struck the Gremlins in the third quarter when he scored on a 66-yard pass play that gave the Raiders a 34-14 lead.

Gabe Bowley is in his first year as Brookville’s head coach.

“I’ve been on the coaching staff for seven years now,” he said. “We implemented the spread offense and team speed has been a strength for us for a while. A lot of credit goes to our track coach, Dan Murdock. His kids are always getting to the state meet and somehow, he makes them faster. A number of them play football.”

Following a scoreless first quarter, Charlie Krug got the Raiders (6-2, 5-1) on the board with a 3-yard touchdown run.

The lead was brief, however, as KC (3-5, 2-4) tied the game when Zach Kelly returned the ensuing kickoff 84 yards for a score.

Hunter Scherer then recovered a Brookville fumble on the next kickoff and following a 29-yard pass from Johnston to Zach Kelly, Luke Cramer’s touchdown run gave the Gremlins a 14-7 edge.

But the Raiders’ 13 points to end the half dealt KC a blow from which it never recovered.

Johnston was knocked out of the game in the third quarter, forcing running back Braden Slater to take snaps. The only pass he attempted was picked off by Pete early in the fourth quarter.

Charlie Krug accounted for two more scores in the second half — one on a 6-yard run and another when he found Sam Krug in the end zone from 20 yards in the final period.

KC’s last two games, both on the road, have come against very formidable opponents in Punxsutawney (a 35-21 loss) and Brookville.

The Gremlins close the regular season with home contests against Bradford next Friday and Mount Union on Oct. 27.

“We’re going to keep battling, keep fighting and see where it gets us,” said Sherwin.

Karns City 0 14 0 0 — 14

Brookville 0 20 14 10 — 44

Second Quarter

B — Charlie Krug 3 run (Steven Plyler kick), 9:51

KC — Zach Kelly 84 kickoff return (Kelly kick), 9:38

KC — Luke Cramer 6 run (Kelly kick), 7:27

B — Sam Krug 50 pass from Charlie Krug (Plyler kick), 4:21

B — Jack Pete 77 interception return (kick failed), :57

Third Quarter

B — Charlie Krug 6 run (Plyler kick), 5:52

B — Pete 66 pass from Charlie Krug (Plyler kick), 1:06

Fourth Quarter

B — Sam Krug 20 pass from Charlie Krug (Plyler kick), 9:20

B — Plyler 27 field goal, 6:54

Individual Statistics

Rushing: Karns City, Cole Johnston 10-38, Luke Cramer 9-48, Owen Heginbotham 1-3, Hunter Scherer 5-18, Zach Kelly 1-20, Braden Slater 3-(-8), Shane Emrick 1-6, Billy Kelly 2-15, Bryce Galan 1-1, Ronald Szczgiel 1-1, Owen Kaufman 2-(-1). Brookville, Charlie Krug 10-63, Anthony Ceriani 10-62, Kolton Griffin 6-30, Easton Belfiore 1-15, Parker Kalgren 2-35, John Fritsch 3-1, Trenton Colgan 3-7.

Passing: Karns City, Cole Johnston 3-8-43-1, Braden Slater 0-1-0-1. Brookville, Charlie Krug 13-19-235-0.

Receiving: Karns City, Zach Kelly 2-40, Brennan Harmon 1-3. Brookville, Sam Krug 7-116, Easton Belfiore 1-7, Hayden Freeman 1-0, Jack Pete 4-112.