SLIPPERY ROCK — Franklin may be coming off a 73-7 loss to Oil City in a game the Knights had minus-38 yards rushing and gave up 624 on the ground, but Slippery Rock High football coach Larry Wendereusz isn't leaving anything to chance.

That's because Franklin has Ian Haynes at quarterback.

The junior threw for 2,931 yards and 29 touchdowns last season.

He had a rough game against Oil City — but so did the entire Knights team.

Haynes was only 8-of-20 passing for 126 yards.

In the season-opening win over North East, Haynes was 15 of 26 for 268 yards and four touchdowns.

“I think whenever you have a guy who's that good, you have to pay attention,” Wendereusz said. “We watched him on film make a throw from one hash to the opposite sideline 30 yards down the field. He has a cannon.”

And Franklin (1-1) likes to show it off.

The Knights have rushed for only 14 yards in two games this season.

They are most certainly a pass-first team.

“They'll run it a little to keep you honest,” Wendereuz said.

Franklin and Haynes will be a test for Slippery Rock's defense, which has been staunch so far.

In two games the Rockets (2-0) have given up just 20 points and 414 yards.

It's all started up front with seniors Sean Northcott, Mitchell Houston and Ryan Broad.

The trio have wrecked gameplans this season.

Especially Northcott, who has been a force during the first two weeks.

“Sean's pretty good,” Wendereusz said. “We knew coming in that he's the guy up front. Ryan Broad and Mitchell have also played well. Mitchell gets to be the unsung hero for us. He's taking on two and sometimes three guys at a time, but when he gets a chance to go one-on-one, he's been a force.

“It's shown in the tackles by David (Duffalo) and Jake (Shaffer) and the linebackers. Our big guys are eating people up.”

The Rockets' defense has been steady for the Rockets since Wendereusz took over.

Now the offense is starting to show some consistency with junior Vito Pilosi at quarterback.

Pilosi has rushed for 145 yards and two touchdowns and he's also passed for 104 with no interceptions.

“When Vito was in the ninth grade we knew he was somebody who had talents to help us at quarterback,” Wendereusz said. “We threw him in there last year and he probably wasn't ready — he even said the game was moving real fast for him at times. Now he's more comfortable in what we want him to do and he's done a nice job.”

So has Kaleb Kamerer, who lead Slippery Rock with 181 yards and is averaging nine yards per carry.

“Like I said Friday night, Kaleb is the last one to leave,” Wendereusz said.

Knoch (0-2, 0-1) at Beaver (1-1, 0-1)

7:30 p.m., Friday

Knoch dropped its Northwest Eight Conference opener at Blackhawk last week, 48-12. Beaver was also routed, 35-7, by South Fayette.

The Knights' triple option is led by QB Chase Mullen (155 rushing yards) and RB Matt Goodlin (154). ... Knoch's defense has given up 742 yards in two games.

Beaver made the jump from Class 3A to 4A this season after going 9-3 last year. ... Against South Fayette, the Bobcats trailed 35-0 at halftime and were out-gained 293-63 in that span. ... Bobcats' coach Jeff Beltz is in his 19th season of leading the team.

Mars (2-0)

at Greensburg Salem (1-1)

7 p.m., Friday

Mars defeated Moon last week, 23-13. Greensburg Salem routed Trinity, 41-13.

Planet RB Garrett Reinke has rushed for 382 yards and two TDs on 54 carries. ... Four Mars defensive players intercepted passes last week — DBs Drew Schlegel and Tom Sheehy and LB Chuck Green. ... This contest marks the third straight non-conference game to begin the season for Mars.

Greensburg Salem QB Trent Patrick completed 7 of 8 passes for 143 yards and 3 TDs last week. ... The Golden Lions are led by head coach Dave Keefer, who is in his 6th season. The program last qualified for the WPIAL playoffs in 2011.

Moniteau (1-1)

at Ridgway (2-0)

7 p.m., Friday

Ridgway has outscored its opponents 76-6 this season. ... The Elkers have three players with 100-plus rushing yards, led by junior Jake Wickett (146 yards on 16 carries. ... Ridgway has attempted a mere 18 passes this season, but has completed 14 of them. ... Moniteau also likes to run the ball with senior Cody Wise leading the way with 273 yards. ... Warriors' QB Chance Nagy has become a dual threat. He's passed for 97 yards and rushed for another 112. ... Wise is also a force at linebacker. The 6-foot, 215-pound has 13 tackles — five for a loss — and has also forced a fumble.

Union/A-C Valley (1-1, 0-1)

at Curwensville (1-1, 0-1)

7 p.m., Friday

Union/A-C Valley shut out Sheffield last week, 47-0. Curwensville is coming off a 58-6 thrashing of Cameron County.

Union/A-C Valley RBs Kylar Culbertson (77 yards) and Caden Rainey (64, 2 TDs) combined for 141 of the team's 294 rushing yards in the blowout in Rimersburg. ... Brady Cullen and Dalton Callander both intercepted a pass.

Last week, the Golden Tide received 78 yards rushing and 2 TDs on just four carries from RB Cole Bressler. He also recovered a fumble for a TD.

Summit Academy (0-2)

at Washington (1-1)

Friday, 7 p.m.

Washington saw its 39-game regular season winning streak snapped last week in a 64-33 loss to Charleroi. ... Summit Academy has been shut out in each of its first two games (30-0 to Western Beaver and 21-0 to Apollo-Ridge last week). ... The Prexies missed practice time during camp because of a hand-foot-and-mouth disease epidemic. ... Wash High QB Zack Swartz threw for 260 yards and five touchdowns in the loss.