Karns City runs past Redbank

Karns City (5-0 overall, 3-0) rushed for 300 yards and stifled the Redbank Valley offense in a 23-0 shutout Friday night in a Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference matchup of unbeaten teams.

Karns City improved its KSAC winning streak to 16 games and won its fifth straight game at Redbank Valley.

“It kind of preps us for the next three weeks,” Karns City coach Ed Conto said. “We've been playing against teams with the spread offense the last few weeks; and next week (hosting) against Clarion, it's back to power football. But we have to keep this in the memory banks.”

Karns City outgained Redbank Valley, 393-229, stopping it twice on downs inside the 10. Jake Smith, the Bulldogs' standout quarterback, was 8-of-26 passing for 92 yards and was intercepted twice.

“They were the better team. What are you going to do?” said Redbank Valley coach Ed Wasilowski, whose team fell to 4-1 and 3-1. “We can look behind us and it'll eat us alive or we can look ahead. There's a lot of football to play and if we can win out, it's still a great season.”

Brett Green and Markus LeVan each rushed for more than 100 yards for Karns City. Green led the way with 108 yards on 10 carries, and Markus LeVan gained 102 yards on nine carries. He also scored on a 1-yard run.

Karns City's first two touchdowns came through the air in the first half. Quarterback Anthony Stimac hit Mike McConnell for a 28-yard touchdown at the 1:52 mark in the first quarter.

McConnell also added an interception and a sack.

Stimac was injured and relieved by backup Chris Price during a series in the second quarter, and Price completed a 30-yard touchdown pass to Josh Callender.

Karns City led, 14-0, at halftime and 17-0 late in the third quarter when Matt McConnell kicked a 38-yard field goal.