Karns City football ‘whupped’ in anticipated District 9 matchup with Central Clarion
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Karns City's Owen Kaufman, center, is consoled during the 2nd quarter where Central Clarion continued to lead Karns City in a football game at Karns City High School on Friday, Sept. 27. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/27/2024)
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Karns City tackles Central Clarion in a football game at Karns City High School on Friday, Sept. 27. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/27/2024)
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In a football game between Karns City and Central Clarion at Karns City High School on Friday, Sept. 27. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/27/2024)
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Central Clarion tackles Karns City in a football game at Karns City High School on Friday, Sept. 27. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/27/2024)
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Central Clarion intercepts a Karns City pass in a football game at Karns City High School on Friday, Sept. 27. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/27/2024)
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Karns City's Owen Heginbotham is tackled by Central Clarion in a football game at Karns City High School on Friday, Sept. 27. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/27/2024)
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Karns City's Braden Slater is tackled by Central Clarion in a football game at Karns City High School on Friday, Sept. 27. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/27/2024)
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Karns City works to bring down Central Clarion in a football game at Karns City High School on Friday, Sept. 27. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/27/2024)
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Karns CIty's Troy Nagel talks with Coach Joe Sherwin during a football game against Central Clarion at Karns City High School on Friday, Sept. 27. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/27/2024)
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Central Clarion runs the ball down the field in a football game against Karns City at Karns City High School on Friday, Sept. 27. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/27/2024)
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Karns City's Owen Kaufman is tackled by Central Clarion in a football game at Karns City High School on Friday, Sept. 27. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/27/2024)
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Karns City's Owen Heginbotham is intercepted during his run down the field in a football game against Central Clarion at Karns City High School on Friday, Sept. 27. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/27/2024)
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Karns City's Troy Nagel misses a pass because of a tackle by Central Clarion in a football game at Karns City High School on Friday, Sept. 27. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/27/2024)
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Karns City's Riley Hamilton reacts with frustration to a play during a football game against Central Clarion at Karns City High School on Friday, Sept. 27. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/27/2024)
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Karns City football players run onto the field ahead of their football game against Central Clarion at Karns City High School on Friday, Sept. 27. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/27/2024)
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Karns City Coach Joe Sherwin meets with his team during a time out in a football game against Central Clarion at Karns City High School on Friday, Sept. 27. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/27/2024)
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Karns City's Shane Emrick, left, is consoled by a teammate after getting frustrated with a play in a football game against Central Clarion at Karns City High School on Friday, Sept. 27. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/27/2024)
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Karns City's Mason Bell, left, and Cam Ealy lead the team out of the stadium after their loss to Central Clarion in a football game at Karns City High School on Friday, Sept. 27. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/27/2024)
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Karns City runs onto the field before a football game at Karns City High School on Friday, Sept. 27. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/27/2024)
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Karns City cheerleaders in a football game at Karns City High School on Friday, Sept. 27. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/27/2024)
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Karns City’s homecoming during a football game at Karns City High School on Friday, Sept. 27. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/27/2024)
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Karns City’s marching band lines up in a football game at Karns City High School on Friday, Sept. 27. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/27/2024)
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Karns City’s marching band performs in a football game at Karns City High School on Friday, Sept. 27. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/27/2024)
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Karns City takes on Central Clarion in a football game at Karns City High School on Friday, Sept. 27. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/27/2024)
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Karns City takes on Central Clarion in a football game at Karns City High School on Friday, Sept. 27. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/27/2024)
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Karns City cheerleader in a football game at Karns City High School on Friday, Sept. 27. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/27/2024)
KARNS CITY — This one got away early — and never came back.
Undefeated Central Clarion took advantage of a turnover on downs inside the Karns City 30-yard line on the game’s first possession, scored touchdowns on its first six possessions of the first half and cruised to a 65-0 football victory over the Gremlins on Friday night at Diehl Stadium.
“They jumped on us early and kept piling it on,” KC coach Joe Sherwin said. “We never got anything going offensively or defensively tonight. They just whupped us.”
The turnover on downs occurred when punter Mason MacTaggart fielded a high snap and tried running away from pressure on fourth-and-1. He was hauled down short of the sticks by Ethan Rex, and the Wildcats scored seven plays later.
The Wildcats scored touchdowns on a pair of blocked punts and recorded a safety as well. The latter play occurred when the snap sailed over KC quarterback Cole Johnston’s head. He corralled the ball in the end zone, but could not escape an onslaught of tacklers.
Central Clarion entered the contest averaging 54 points per game.
“We rode them pretty hard in practice this week,” Central Clarion coach Davey Eggleton said. “We know there’s more potential in there. We knew this team could play better.
“Tonight, I feel like we drew it out of them. Especially in the first half, this is the best we’ve played all year.”
The Wildcats had a 51-0 lead at halftime. The only time the offense failed to score in the first two quarters was when Thomas Uckert’s 42-yard field goal attempt sailed wide with 15 seconds left in the half.
Quarterback Jase Ferguson rushed for more than 100 yards for the Wildcats in the first quarter alone. He threw for 233 yards and five touchdowns on the night.
“We faced some adversity tonight when (top receiver) Mason Burford got banged up and had to leave the game,” Eggleton said. ”Jesse Siwiecki came in and had a great game.“
Siwiecki caught touchdown passes of 90 and 30 yards in the contest.
Central Clarion’s balanced attack featured 235 yards rushing and 233 passing. The Gremlins (3-2) were limited to five first downs and 52 yards of net offense. Karns City never had an offensive snap beyond its own 41-yard line.
The 65 points allowed are believed to be the most by KC at home since a 70-12 loss to East Brady in 1929. Karns City was shut out at home for the first time since 2010, a 31-0 loss to Punxsutawney.
“I thought it’d be a good battle up front tonight, but they handled us on both sides of the ball,” Sherwin said. “We have to get this loss out of our minds and prepare for another tough one next week.”
Karns City travels to Redbank Valley on Oct. 4.
Central Clarion 23 28 0 14 — 65
Karns City 0 0 0 0 — 0
First Quarter
CC — Noah Harrison 6 run (Thomas Uckert kick), 6:51
CC — Mason Burford 34 pass from Jase Ferguson (Uckert kick), 6:03
CC — Ethan Rex 6 run (Uckert kick), 2:29
CC — Cole Johnston tackled in end zone for safety, 2:13
Second Quarter
CC — Rex 34 pass from Ferguson (Uckert kick), 11:51
CC — Braylon Beckwith 38 blocked punt return (Uckert kick), 9:29
CC — Jesse Siwiecki 90 pass from Ferguson (Uckert kick), 6:34
CC — Rex 13 pass from Ferguson (Uckert kick), 4:42
Fourth Quarter
CC — Siwiecki 30 pass from Ferguson (Uckert kick), 11:53
CC — Matt Alston 45 blocked punt return (Bettwy Bettwy kick), 8:13
Individual Statistics
Passing: Central Clarion, Jase Ferguson 9-16-233-0, Carter Hindman 0-2-0-0. Karns City, Cole Johnston 6-20-30-2.
Rushing: Central Clarion, Jase Ferguson 11-107, Noah Harrison 11-75, Ethan Rex 4-34, Jackson Mravintz 1-4, Alex Love 1-5, Carter Hindman 1-3, Brody Beggs 2-7. Karns City, Cole Johnston 4-(-33), Braden Slater 3-12, Owen Heginbotham 3-14, Hunter Scherer 6-27, Mason MacTaggart 1-0, Riley Hamilton 2-1, Troy Nagel 1-2, Bodey Anderson 1-2, Trevor Geibel 2-(-4).
Receiving: Central Clarion, Mason Burford 2-46, Ethan Rex 2-47, Kohen Kemmer 2-13, Jesse Siwiecki 2-120, Noah Harrison 1-7. Karns City, Riley Hamilton 4-20, Brennan Harmon 1-8, Braden Slater 1-2.
