GROVE CITY — The goal is obvious.

Don't let Journey Brown take any long journeys down the football field.

The Meadville senior star running back has piled up 1,451 yards rushing and 26 touchdowns on just 129 carries this season for the Bulldogs (6-2, 5-0), who will travel to Grove City (8-0, 5-0) for a 7 p.m. kickoff Friday with the Region 5 title on the line.

Grove City coach Sam Mowrey, though, said stopping Brown is important, but not the sole focus of his defense.

“I think like against any team, you pick out what things they do the best, the four or five things they do the best and try to stop that,” Mowrey said. “Obviously, Journey is operating at a level far advanced than anything else you see. He's a talented kid, a talented football player. But our guys on defense can't do anything outside their responsibility.”

Meadville has other dangers beyond Brown.

While the Bulldogs don't pass often (they haven't had much need to this season), quarterback Kirk Mumau has been efficient.

Isaiah Manning has also been a strong complement to Brown in the running game with more than 700 yards.

“Those other guys are doing a good job, too,” Mowrey said.

So is the often maligned Meadville defense, which has given up just 36 points in the last five games after coughing up 115 in the first three games of the season.

The Bulldogs are coming off 70-0 and 70-6 wins the last two weeks.

“They are definitely very athletic and very physical (on defense),” Mowrey said. “Manning is a very good middle linebacker and Journey hasn't been tested at cornerback this season.”

Grove City, though, is certain to test all of the Meadville DBs.

Senior quarterback Kameron Patterson continues to put up gaudy numbers.

He has completed 122-of-160 passes (76.2 percent) for 1,989 yards and 27 touchdowns. He's only thrown two interceptions.

What has made the Eagles' passing game so dangerous is its balance. Nine players caught at least one pass two weeks ago against DuBois. Eight players had at least one reception last week vs. Fairview.

“That's something we knew coming in, that we had a lot of athletes and a lot of guys who could catch passes,” Mowrey said. “And Kam is comfortable. He hasn't fallen into that trap of having to throw the ball to a certain guy. When you are 21-of-25 passing each week, you're making a lot of good decisions.”

Slippery Rock (3-5, 3-4)

at Wilmington (7-1, 6-1)

Friday, 7 p.m.

What to look for: Wilmington is coming off its first defeat of the season, a 28-20 setback vs. Hickory. ... Slippery Rock is coming off a 42-21 win over Sharpsville. ... Rockets' QB Bailey Mertens got it done on the ground last week with 154 yards and two TDs as Slippery Rock rushed for 305 yards as a team. ... RB Seth Slater added 106 yards on the ground.

Knoch (1-6, 1-5)

at Ambridge (0-7, 0-7)

Friday, 7 p.m.

What to look for: The two programs are meeting for the first time since 1992 and for only the third time ever. The Bridgers defeated Knoch 26-7 in 1992 and the Knights nipped Ambridge, 21-20, in a 1986 playoff game. ... Ambridge has scored only 26 points all season and is allowing an average of 46 points per game. ... Knoch is trying to snap a three-game losing streak. QB Mac Christy has 1,173 combined passing and rushing yards this season and leads the team with 53 tackles as its middle linebacker. ... Ambridge had minus 22 yards rushing in last week's 49-0 loss to Mars.

Freeport (4-3, 3-2)

at Keystone Oaks (6-1, 5-0)

Friday, 7 p.m.

What to look for: The Yellowjackets have lost two straight and are battling for their playoff lives. ... Keystone Oaks QB Alex Smith is third in the WPIAL with 1,651 yards passing. He has 14 TD passes and has yet to throw an interception. Smith has also rushed for 674 yards and 10 TDs. ... Nick Hrivnak is KO's leading receiver with 40 catches for 618 yards and 4 TDs. ... KO has not scored fewer than 35 points in a game this year. ... Freeport QB Austin Romanchak has 1,037 yards combined passing and rushing. ... LB Travis Wisniewski leads Freeport with 83 tackles, but the Yellowjackets have only seven takeaways defensively. ... Keystone Oaks and Freeport have never met in football.

South Side (2-5, 2-4)

at C.W. North Catholic (4-3, 3-2)

Stone Field

Friday, 7 p.m.

What to look for: South Side lost to visiting Neshannock last week 56-13, while CWNC was on the short end of a 28-26 score at Riverside. ... The Rams have thrown for just 223 yards in their seven games. The team's offense is led by senior FB Anthony Crider, who has amassed 945 yards and five TDs on the ground. ... For CWNC, junior QB Jack Cassidy replaced Ryan Maziarz in last week's game and completed 7-of-9 passes for 88 yards and a TD. He also ran for an 85-yard TD.

Clarion (6-1)

at Union/A-C Valley (2-5)

Friday, 7 p.m.

in Rimersburg

What to look for: Clarion suffered its first defeat of the season last week, a 31-7 loss at Karns City. Union/A-C Valley lost its fourth straight game, a 41-22 setback at Brookville. ... Clarion is averaging 265 yards rushing per game. Jr. Colton Rapp leads the way with 970 yards and 10 TDs. ... Falcon Knights' WR Gavin Hawk leads the team in receptions (28), receiving yards (413) and touchdowns (4).

Northgate (6-1, 5-1)

at Summit Academy (2-5, 2-5)

Saturday, 12:30 p.m.

What to look for: Northgate is coming off a 55-0 drubbing of Western Beaver. ... Summit Academy lost to Sto-Rox 35-20. ... Northgate is led by the Adams duo — Stefon and Surron. ... Stefon Adams leads the Flames with 920 yards passing and six TDs. Surron Adams leads the team in rushing with 793 yards and 16 TDs. ... Mike Allen is the Flames' leading receiver with 15 receptions for 584 yards and four TDs.