The Greyhounds skated to a victory in Saturday night's PIAA first round interdistrict playoff game against Karns City at Erie Veterans Stadium, but it was far from easy.

Amidst a steady falling snow, the Greyhounds topped District 9's Karns City 22-17. With the win, Wilmington (12-0) will play Tyrone, 48-12 winners over Westmont Hilltop Saturday, at a date and site yet to be determined. It will be the third consecutive year the 'Hounds and Tyrone have met in the state playoffs. ``We've got to go play ball,'' said Wilmington wide out Demetrious Rich.``We've got to go after them like everybody else.''

Rich's 43-yard touchdown with 2:43 remaining capped a crazy comeback by the Greyhounds, one in which they scored eight points in the final three minutes for the win.

Wilmington running back Jon Tekac (4) tries to scramble through the tackle of a Karns City defender on the snow-covered Erie Veterans Stadium artificial turf as Greyhounds lineman Justin Koi (51) helps to open up the hole. (David E. Dale/Herald)

Rich, on first-and-10 at the Karns City 43, caught a 10-yard slant from quarterback Todd Smargiasso, broke across the middle and raced the rest of the way for the score. Jon Tekac's 2-point run failed but the 'Hounds led 22-17. ``This game is four quarters. We always knew we were going to win,'' Rich said.``We kept our heads in there and we were looking for the big play. We got it done.''

Just prior to Rich's score, Gremlins quarterback Doug Rodgers ran out of the back of the end zone for a safety to let Wilmington pull within one point at 17-16 with 2:40 left.

Karns City (10-1) took over at its own 9-yard line after Smargiasso fumbled with about four minutes left. The Gremlins attempted to run out the clock with Wilmington out of time outs.

It didn't work as a Josh Apple rush, followed by a pair of J.J. Scherer totes netted only one yard. Then instead off punting on fourth down, Karns City coach Lon Hazlet, in shorts despite the freezing temperatures, called for the safety. ``That was the smart thing to do,'' said Wilmington coach Terry Verrelli. ``You still have to move it down in this (snow). We were able to pull it out.''

The 'Hounds did just that. Karns City kicked off on the free kick and Wilmington returned it to the 43, setting up Rich's score. Rich finished with three receptions for 59 yards. Two of the catches were for TDs.

``I don't care if I never touch the ball, as long as we win,'' Rich said.

Karns City got the ball at its own 35 with 2:30 remaining and had one final attempt to score. Three Rodgers passes fell incomplete and then on fourth down, Karns City tried a fumblerooskie with tackle Derek O'Donnell picking the ball off the turf. He made it just two yards and the 'Hounds went on to run out the clock.

Wilmington carried a 14-10 lead into the fourth quarter but it didn't last long. Neither team could get a consistent rushing attack going due to the several inches of snow on the turf at Vetrans Stadium turf.

On the initial play of the final period and on their own 16, Scherer broke out for a 16-yard gain. On the next play, Rodgers tossed a screen pass to David Hilderbrand who in turn tossed what amounted to a 65-yard gain to T.J. McFarland. Scherer scored from three yards out on the next snap. Steve Rodgers added the extra point to make it 17-14.

Despite playing a schedule nowhere near the caliber of Wilmington's, the Gremlins showed they were ready to play from the outset.

Karns City struck on the first drive of the game as Scherer completed a 10-play, 65-yard drive with a 2-yard dive. Scherer had 49 of the yards himself, aided by his own fumble. He finished with a game-high 82 yards on 21 carries.

On second-and-6 at the 'Hounds 34, Scherer broke right for a 10-yard gain before coughing up the ball. A Wilmington player dove for the ball but knocked it out of bounds 14 yards later. Three plays after that Scherer found the end zone. Then the game became a battle of field position and turnovers, of which Wilmington had four and the Gremlins one.

With time winding down in the first quarter, Jon Tekac tried a pass on a halfback option play but threw an interception. Two plays later, QB Doug Rodgers fumbled a snap, giving the 'Hounds the ball at the KC 8-yard line.

On third-and-goal, Smargiasso hit Rich on a crossing pattern for a 6-yard score. Judd Campbell's PAT knotted the game at 7-all. Neither team could get going on the snow-covered turf and the Gremlins again capitalized on a Wilmington fumble. Rodgers punted and Adam Robison fielded it for the 'Hounds. He got about two steps down and coughed up the ball when hit and Karns City took over at the 27.

Rodgers hit Josh Bly for 10 yards on first down. Three runs by Scherer got the Gremlins to the 9, setting up fourth down. Steve Rodgers capped the drive with a 26-yard field goal to put KC up 10-7 at the half.

The Gremlins dominated the first- half stat sheet, outgaining Wilmington 126-64 in total yards. Scherer led the way with 62 yards on the ground. ``Karns City really deserves a lot of credit,'' Verrelli said.``They played one heckuva football game. We were fortunate to win at the end.''

Notes: Smargiasso finished the game 6-of-9 for 170 yards and had two TDs. ... Hazlet said he wore shorts for every game throughout Karns City's season and he didn't want to break the luck he felt they brought.

PIAA Class AA First Round
 KARNS CITY      730717
 WILMINGTON      077822
Scoring plays    
KC _ Scherer 2 run (S. Rodgers kick)    
WI _ Rich 6 pass from Smargiasso (Campbell kick)    
KC _ S. Rodgers 26 field goal    
WI _ Dudash 2 run (Campbell kick)    
KC _ Scherer 3 run (S. Rodgers kick)    
WI _ Team safety    
WI _ Rich 43 pass from Smargiasso (run failed)

Team stats 
            KARNS CITY      WILMINGTON
 9........First downs........6
 88........Rushing yards........94
 131........Passing yards........170
 17-8-0........Att-comp-int........10-6-1
 2-10........Sacks-yards lost........0-0
 209........Total yards........264
 2-1........Fumbles-lost........4-3
 3-25........Penalties-yards lost........2-30

Individual stats
    Rushing: 
KARNS CITY _ Scherer 21-82,   Apple 6-12, Bly 2-3, 
D. Rodgers 6-(-19); 
WILMINGTON _ Dudash 18-64, Tekac 6-17,   
Smargiasso 7-13).    

Passing: 
KARNS CITY _ D. Rodgers 16-  7-0-65, Hildebrand 1-1-0-65; 
WILMINGTON   _ Smargiasso 9-6-0-170, Tekac 1-0-1-0. 

Receiving: 
KARNS CITY _ McFarland 4-  81, Bly 2-36, Hildebrand 2-14; 
WILMINGTON   _ Rich 3-59, Bauer 1-42, Copper 1-36, Tekac   1-33.