GROVE CITY — The Fort LeBoeuf football team is eyeing its monumental task against undefeated Grove City with a simple mantra.

“We're going into it like we have nothing to lose,” said Bison coach Jeff Nichols.

Fort LeBoeuf is a big underdog against the Eagles when the two teams clash Saturday night at Slippery Rock University in the District 10 5A semifinals.

Not many pundits believe the Bison will be in the game much after the 7 p.m. kickoff.

Except for the two teams.

“I think they're overall a sound team,” said Grove City coach Sam Mowrey. “They're a really physical team and that stands out on film. They may not have a game-breaker, but they have physical kids and they'll wear you down. Their defense is sound and they get to the football.”

Mowrey and the Eagles aren't buying Fort LeBoeuf's 4-5 record and three game losing streak heading into the playoffs.

Mowrey has largely kept the noise away from his team and instead has let the Bison film do the talking.

“We really don't focus a lot on Fort LeBoeuf's record,” Mowrey said. “We're focused on how they line up and what they try to do. I don't want the kids to look at their record. They are a good football team and the film shows that. They're scrappy.”

And the Bison's record is misleading.

Their five losses have come to teams with a combined record of 35-15, including undefeated Cathedral Prep two weeks ago.

“We've seen some pretty good teams,” Nichols said. “We've played as good competition as anyone around.

“And Grove City's not too bad, too,” Nichols added, chuckling.

Grove City (9-0) has been a juggernaut this season because of its balance and potency on both sides of the ball.

Quarterback Brady Callahan has completed 77 percent of his passes and thrown for 1,308 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Logan Lutz has been a multiple threat with 37 receptions for 550 yards and 710 rushing yards on only 67 carries out of a special wildcat package.

And Trey Adams has gained 675 yards on the ground and scored 19 touchdowns for the Eagles, who can do damage to an opponent in as many ways are there are yard markers.

“That is the problem with them — they can throw the ball and rush the ball very well,” Nichols said. “And, boy, they can bust a big play.”

Defensively, Grove City is giving up just 2.1 yards per rushing attempt.

Meanwhile, Fort LeBoeuf has been snakebitten at quarterback again.

For the second consecutive season, the Bison have lost a starting quarterback for the season due to injury.

This year, Corey Shields went down in Week 3 after a promising start in which he completed 65 percent of his passes and threw five touchdowns without an interception.

Cole Dawson has taken over for him and has steadily improved, Nichols said.

The Bison have a pair of running backs who can do some damage in Tyler Scott and Greg Proctor. The duo have combined for 1,158 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Both teams had a week off before the semifinals.

The winner will get either General McLane or Meadville in the title game next Saturday.

“It was nice to get a week off,” Mowrey said. “We gave our kids a couple of days off to get their legs back and heal up bumps and bruises and it was nice to have a week to work on us. We practiced for three days in a split focus practice.”