RIDGWAY — Karns City’s football team showed no shortage of courage stepping on to a football field a week after watching teammate Mason Martin collapse and being taken by medical helicopter to a hospital in Pittsburgh.

The Gremlins, however, wanted more when they showed up in Ridgway for a nonconference showdown against the Elkers on Friday night.

“This was for Mason. We kept telling each other on the bus ride up here ... This was all for Mason,” said KC’s Taite Beighley. “But we didn’t want to just play for him, we wanted to win for him.”

Beighley’s two interceptions of Ridgway quarterback Cam Larkin was part of the spirited effort as the Gremlins earned their first victory of the season, 35-14 over the Elkers at Memorial Park Field.

KC’s defense stood tall. After allowing a 9-play, 75-yard touchdown drive on Ridgway’s first possession, the Gremlins forced a pair of turnovers — interceptions by Beighley on back-to-back possessions late in the first half — and stopped the Elkers (0-3) short of the chains on a trio of fourth downs before the hosts scored their second touchdown with just over six minutes left in the game.

“Early on, we were a bit on our heels on defense because we knew they had a good passing game,” said KC coach Joe Sherwin. “Their quarterback saw that and was able to pick up some yards on the ground.

“We made some mistakes early, but corrected them and ended up playing very well.”

Hunter Scherer put KC up early, returning the opening kickoff 80 yards for a touchdown. The extra-point attempt was blocked and Ridgway responded with their first scoring drive and grabbed a 7-6 lead.

Playing quarterback in place of Martin was Cole Johnston, a strong-armed freshman. The Gremlins (1-2) showed immediate confidence in him. Their first offensive play was an incomplete pass on a deep route.

KC’s first seven plays resulted in minus-1 yard and an interception when Mike Gerg picked off a Johnston pass near midfield.

But on the fifth possession, Johnston connected on two passes — nine yards to Beighley and a 35-yard scoring strike to tight end Shane Peters.

Johnston completed four passes in the game for 79 yards, the one touchdown and two interceptions.

“I’m sure he was dealing with some nerves tonight, but this was crucial for him,” said Sherwin. “He’s only going to improve as the season goes on.”

The Gremlins added another score late in the half on Luke Cramer’s 13-yard run and led 20-7 at the break.

KC had rebounded from its sluggish start on offense to post 187 yards by halftime.

“I think they knew we were going to load the box to stop the run and I thought that for a freshman, their quarterback played with a lot of poise,” said Ridgway coach Mark Heindl. “We just had too many self-inflicted wounds tonight. The turnovers, you can’t give up the ball that many times against a good team.”

The Gremlins controlled the second half with their ground attack, which churned out 112 yards over the final two quarters.

Zach Kelly (29 yards) and Owen Heginbotham (10) both tallied scoring runs in the fourth period.

Cramer, who starred on defense, said it was not difficult to maintain focus in practice during the week despite Martin’s situation.

“It was a rough week, but we all came in on Tuesday ready to play and support each other.

“We have to play each play like it’s our last because you never know. For team morale, this win is huge.”

The Gremlins travel to Saint Marys next Friday.

Photos in the gallery below are available for purchase at photos.butlereagle.com.

Karns City 6 14 0 15 — 35

Ridgway 7 0 0 7 — 14

First Quarter

KC — Hunter Scherer 80 kickoff return (kick blocked), 11:47

R — Jackson Kilpeck 8 pass from Cam Larkin (Nicky Myers kick), 6:59

Second Quarter

KC — Shane Peters 35 pass from Cole Johnston (run failed), 2:52

KC — Luke Cramer 13 run (Cramer pass from Johnston), 1:24

Fourth Quarter

KC — Zach Kelly 29 run (Cramer run), 8:50

R — Rocco Delhunty 6 run (Myers kick), 6:07

KC — Owen Heginbotham 10 run (Kelly kick), 3:25

Individual Statistics

Rushing: Karns City, Mason MacTaggart 1-(-1), Luke Cramer 5-29, Owen Heginbotham 4-42, Hunter Scherer 14-88, Zach Kelly 3-41, Cole Johnston 1-22, Mason Bell 1-(-1). Ridgway, Rocco Delhunty 12-43, Eric Hoffman 3-10, Cam Larkin 15-30, Broc Kudrick 1-0, Nate Steger 1-4, Jackson Kilpeck 1-0, Rocco Allegretto 1-1, Gavin Kilpeck 1-5.

Passing: Karns City, Cole Johnston 4-15-79-2. Ridgway, Cam Larkin 13-22-124-2.

Receiving: Karns City, Taite Beighley 3-44, Shane Peters 1-35. Ridgway, Mike Gerg 3-6, Jackson Kilpeck 2-5, Broc Kudrick 4-88, Rocco Allegretto 1-3, Rocco Delhunty 2-16, Alex Galbo 1-6.