GREENVILLE — Rod Williams was not going to be OK with Slippery Rock losing to Reynolds for two straight seasons.

So Williams and the rest of the Rockets' defense made big plays, and the Slippery Rock football team hung on to beat Reynolds, 13-12, Friday in a region game at Reynolds High School.

“I was just thinking mainly, back from last year we lost to (Reynolds) in the first game,” Williams said. “I just didn't want that to happen again.”

Williams came up with two drive-killing sacks, as well as a forced fumble that the Rockets recovered with less than a minute remaining to seal the win.

Twice in the first half, Reynolds moved inside Slippery Rock's 20, but Raider penalties — as well as the Rockets' stifling front line — kept Reynolds out of the end zone.

“When it came down to it, our guys up front came after it,” said Slippery Rock coach Larry Wendereusz.

Reynolds coach Josh Mull lamented his team's penalties.

“It's hard to win games that way,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Rockets got on the board when quarterback Jake Shaffer, in his first start, found Patrick Shea for a 7-yard touchdown. Slippery Rock led 7-0 with about 9 minutes to play in the first half.

Wendereusz was impressed with Shaffer's play, especially for his first start. He also expressed confidence that Shaffer will improve as the season goes on.

“It's gonna (take) time,” he said.

The Rockets expanded on their lead late in the third quarter when Kaleb Kamerer capped a nine-play, 41-yard drive with a touchdown from one yard out. The point-after attempt failed, and they led 13-0.

That's when Reynolds running back Austin Carrera got to work. He ripped off an 85-yard touchdown run with 15 seconds to play in the third. The 2-point try failed, and Reynolds trailed 13-6.

Almost a quarter later, he galloped 55 yards to set up the Raiders deep in Slippery Rock territory.

Several plays later, quarterback Tyler Shannon ran it in from 1 yard out. However, Slippery Rock's defense held, and another Reynolds 2-point try failed.

Slippery Rock got the ball back and ran it down under a minute before punting. Reynolds took over at its 30-yard line, but on the first play, Williams managed to force the fumble, and the Rockets recovered for the win.

“Those are things that if we're going to be successful, those front five — counting our two outside linebackers — they're going to have to be good,” Wendereusz said.

Shannon was injured on the play, and was taken off the field on a stretcher by paramedics. Mull said he will likely be OK, but suffered an injury to his throwing arm.

[naviga:h3]Slippery Rock 0 7 6 0 — 13

Reynolds 0 0 6 6 — 12[/naviga:h3]

Second Quarter

SR — Patrick Shea 7 pass from Jacob Shaffer (Vito Piloski kick), 9:04

Third Quarter

SR — Kaleb Kamerer 1 run (kick failed), :31

R — Carrera 85 run (pass failed), :15

Fourth Quarter

R — Shannon 1 run (run failed), 2:43

Individual Statistics

Rushing: Slippery Rock, Kaleb Kamerer 8-44, Patrick Shea 1-42, Seth Slater 7-25, Hunter Prementine 7-25, Jacob Shaffer 9-7, Jonah Foster 1-2, Rod Williams 1-0; Reynolds, Carrera 18-181, Cole Matthews 9-22, David King 2-8, Shannon 7-(-30)

Passing: Slippery Rock, Jacob Shaffer 8-16-61-1. Reynolds, Shannon 8-21-56-0

Receiving: Slippery Rock, Patrick Shea 3-21, Rod Williams 2-33, Nathan Hyatt 1-5, Hunter Prementine 1-3. Reynolds, Tyler Gill 3-26, Noah Fuchs 3-15, Matthews 3-14