KARNS CITY — Tristan Rhoades may have had an injured back coming into Friday night's game, but he didn't show it on the field.

Rhoades scored three touchdowns, and had a key interception late in the first half as Karns City defeated Central Tech, 43-16, at Diehl Stadium.

“I had to keep stretching out my back,” Rhoades said. “The trainers did a good job of helping me out.”

Trailing 13-8, Central Tech recovered a fumble which set it up at the Karns City 27.

The Gremlins defense held the Falcons for no gain on three straight plays. On fourth down, Rhoades picked off a Jason Williams pass to end the threat, preserving the lead going into halftime.

“I haven't had much luck trying to bat passes down, so I decided to catch that one,” Rhoades said.

It was the second straight series that the Falcons threatened to take the lead.

They were stopped on a fourth down at the Gremlins' 11 the first time.

Rhoades scored on the first play of the second half, which sparked a 23-point third quarter that put the game out of reach.

“We just wore down in the second half,” Central Tech coach Rob Matz said.

Central Tech had 13 players out due to injury.

“They have a great program, but I want to see how we do when they come up to our place next year and everyone is healthy,” Matz said.

After forcing the Falcons to punt on their opening possession, Karns City started at its own 39 and drove the ball in eight plays. The drive ended on a Rhoades 5-yard touchdown run. The extra point was missed, giving Karns City a 6-0 lead.

Rhoades had 75 yards on five carries.

“We had to limit (Rhoades') touches tonight with his back bothering him,” Karns City coach Ed Conto said.

“He did a good job for us tonight.”

KC forced another punt on the next Falcon possession and drove 53 yards in six plays, the march ending in a touchdown pass to Rhoades from Caleb King.

King was a perfect 5 for 5 passing on the night.

Central Tech got on the board on its next possession when Eddie Leggett scored on a 33-yard run.

Leggett led all rushers with 129 yards, but went down with an injury in the fourth quarter when he collided with a teammate while playing defense.

Leggett was taken off the field on a stretcher. Matz said it was for precautionary reasons.

King added a rushing touchdown in the third quarter and Cooper Shepard scored on a 4 -yard pass from Cody Deal.

Deal also had a rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter.