HERMITAGE — The coach and some of the names may have changed, but Hickory High School football coach Bill Brest still sees the same old Slippery Rock.

And the same key to beating the Rockets.

“It's very simple to say. It's called 'stop the run,'” Brest said. “In reality, it's a challenge. They have some new faces there, but they still execute at a very high level.”

Both teams have been executing at a very high level as the Rockets and Hornets get set to play at 7 p.m. Friday in an important District 10 Region 3-AA matchup.

Slippery Rock (3-1, 2-1) rushed for 308 yards in a 35-8 win over Titusville.

Trent Porter was the go-to runner in that game for the Rockets, gaining 110 yards on just 11 carries.

Slippery Rock has had three different leading rushers in four weeks and has three of the Butler County area's Top 10 runners in Ryan Lauster (427 yards), Bailey Mertens (275 yards) and Porter (274).

Still, Slippery Rock coach Travis Sarver is well aware that the key to beating Hickory (3-1, 2-1) may be the passing game.

“We need to complete more passes,” Sarver said. “One of the things that helps the passing game, though, is the running game.”

Sarver said he has been pleased with the number of younger, less experienced players who haven't wilted under the pressure.

Sophomore fullback Seth Slater is one of them. Slater is the fourth Rockets' player with more than 200 yards rushing this season.

“We have had a lot of younger kids step up,” Sarver said. “We have a number of sophomores not playing like sophomores, but playing like experienced players.”

Slippery Rock may need every last one of them to slow down Hickory, which is on a roll after a Week 2 loss to Sharon.

The Hornets are coming off decisive region wins over Warren and Corry by a combined score of 103-13.

Hickory's “triplets” on offense have had a lot to do with that.

Quarterback Luke Brennan has completed 34-of-50 passes for 501 yards and seven touchdowns.

Running back Chuck Carr has already rushed for 693 yards and 12 touchdowns.

And receiver Joey Dejulia has hauled in 17 passes for 349 yards and five scores.

“They all put the time in during the offseason,” Brest said. “They did the film study and put in the hard work. But none of that would be possible without the offensive line. They have been doing an excellent job.”