KARNS CITY, Pa. (D9Sports.com) – This year’s Clarion-Karns City clash is two weeks later than last year’s matchup, but it’s a very familiar theme going into Friday night’s showdown at Diehl Stadium in Karns City.

Both teams have roughed up their three opponents so far, and both are state-ranked along with the 1-2 setup in the latest First Commonwealth Bank District 9 Football Rankings with the Gremlins ahead of the Bobcats at the top. The only damper on things is that the game is only for bragging rights as the Bobcats and Gremlins are in different KSAC divisions and classifications.

Regardless, it’s easily the game of the week to watch as the district’s 25 teams are involved in 14 games, all but two of them Friday night.

It’s a very similar theme to last year’s Week 2 matchup. Click HERE for last year’s preview.

Considering that Clarion slapped a Mercy Rule win (42-7) on Karns City a year for the Gremlins’ only loss until the PIAA playoffs, the Gremlins could be fired up to avenge that blowout this time around.

Neither team has been tested as the Gremlins, ranked No. 8 in Class AA in the state by the Pennsylvania Football News, have outscored their opponents 157-13, including a 42-0 blanking at St. Marys last week.

Clarion, the No. 5 team in Class A by PFN, has played a slightly softer schedule to start the year and hasn’t given up a point, scoring 179-0. The Bobcats are just one of three teams in the state who haven’t yielded a point with WPIAL power Clairton and District 10’s Hickory being the others.

For more previews, visit D9sports.com/week-4-preview-gremlins-bobcats-showdown/