ERIE — When JT Bratt booted a 37-yard field goal 12 seconds into the second quarter, Harbor Creek was in a football game.

Four minutes later, the Huskies were out of it.

Slippery Rock scored three touchdowns in the span of two minutes and 14 seconds, hen cruised to a 44-3 District 10 Class 3A playoff win Saturday night at Veterans Stadium.

“We didn't do ourselves any favors, that's for sure,” Harbor Creek coach Troy Budziszewski said. “Make mistakes against a good team like that, they're going to take advantage of it.

“We didn't expect this type of score, but we knew we were facing a very good team. Their coaches have put together quite a program down there,”

The Rockets (8-3) won a first-round playoff game for the third consecutive season.

Following Bratt's field goal, Slippery Rock drove 62 yards in five plays to take a 14-3 lead. Patrick Shea turned a flanker screen into a 40-yard touchdown catch.

On Harbor Creek's next play from scrimmage, Ethan Sarver recovered a fumble at the Huskies' 30-yard line. Four plays later, Nathan Hyatt scored on a 4-yard run.

Harbor Creek (8-3) fumbled on the ensuing kickoff and Jake Shaffer recovered for the Rockets at the Huskies' 21-yard line. David Duffalo scored his second TD of the game on a 15-yard run and it was 28-3 with 7:43 left in the first half.

“Once that snowball starts rolling against you, it's tough to stop it,” Slippery Rock coach Larry Wendereusz said. “We certainly don't mind when it's rolling in our favor.”

Nick Gills caught a 30-yard touchdown pass from Vito Pilosi to cap an 90-yard drive with 55 seconds left in the half. Slippery Rock took a 35-3 lead into the locker room.

The Rockets got the mercy clock rolling early in the third quarter when Hyatt scored on a 5-yard run. A 56-yard scamper by Pilosi set up the score.

“I like to keep the ball when I can, but it's a matter of reading what the defense is doing,” Pilosi said. “I decide whether to hand off or go with it. That's our offense.”

It worked just fine Saturday.

Despite playing without one of its top two-way players in Kaleb Kamerer, Slippery Rock amassed 289 yards of offense in the first half alone. Pilosi ran for 132 yards and threw for 89. Duffalo ran for 117 and a pair of touchdowns. Both carried the ball only once in the second half.

“Kaleb is banged up, that's all I'll say,” Wendereusz said of his absence. “We hope to have him back next week.”

Pilosi called out the plays on defense in Kamerer's absence.

“I'm just glad the guys listened to me,” Pilosi said. “I lost a fumble early in this game, but everyone had my back. We're a tight group and I like that. We're playing together.”

Harbor Creek netted 57 yards in the first half and had minus four yards rushing in the first two quarters.

The game's final points were scored when Harbor Creek's Tony Langer-Williamson retreated into the end zone on a punt return and was tackled there by Kid Scarborough for a safety.

Harbor Creek did not get a first down until four minutes remained in the first half. The Huskies didn't go over 100 yards in offense until late in the fourth period.

“Defense is all read and react,” linebacker Jake Shaffer said. “I prefer playing on that side of the ball. We did that all night and we hit hard.”

Slippery Rock will play unbeaten Grove City at 8 p.m. Saturday at Slippery Rock University.

“I like our chances against them this time. We're a different team now,” Shaffer said.

Slippery Rock 7 28 9 0 — 44

Harbor Creek 0 3 0 0 — 3

First Quarter

SR — David Duffalo 12 run (Nathaniel Willison kick), 6:38

Second Quarter

HC — JT Bratt 37 field goal, 11:38

SR — Patrick Shea 40 pass from Vito Pilosi (Willison kick), 9:57

SR — Nathan Hyatt 4 run (Willison kick), 9:10

SR — Duffalo 15 run (Willison kick), 7:43

SR — Nick Gills 30 pass from Pilosi (Willison kick), :55

Third Quarter

SR — Hyatt 5 run (Willison kick), 8:16

SR — Kid Scarborough tackled Toby Langer-Williamson in end zone for safety, 3:16

Individual Statistics

Rushing: Slippery Rock, Vito Pilosi 12-132, David Duffalo 11-117, Nathan Hyatt 6-16, John Thompson 2-1, Kid Scarborough 21, Michael Antal 4-3. Harbor Creek, Casey Smith 1-(-10), Tyler East 15-65, Drew Sterrett 2-4, Toby Charlton 1-(-5), Tony Langer-Williamson 4-4, Matt Stenger 3-8, Elijah Spearman 1-3.

Passing: Slippery Rock, Vito Pilosi 7-10-89-0. Harbor Creek, Casey Smith 6-19-82-0.

Receiving: Slippery Rock, Ethan Plesakov 2-4, Patrick Shea 3-54, David Duffalo 1-1, Nick Gills 1-30. Harbor Creek, Cody Smith 4-76, Drew Sterrett 1-6, Ryan Whitman 1-0.