SLIPPERY ROCK — Things have gone rather smoothly on the field for Slippery Rock High's football team this season.

Off the gridiron, chaos has toyed with the Rockets, who have yet to play a game that originally appeared on their schedule.

Games against Fort LeBoeuf and Mercyhurst Prep were canceled due to COVID issues with those teams.

The Rockets were able to pick up games against Central Clarion and Sharpsville instead, both won by Slippery Rock by scores of 38-7 and 35-10, respectively.

Last week's Region 3 opener was canceled when Titusville had issues with the virus and this time, Slippery Rock was unable to find a last-minute opponent.

“We told the kids that attitude and effort are the two things we can control,” said Slippery Rock coach Larry Wendereusz. “They've done well with getting better in practice and hopefully, that will continue with whatever the future may hold.

“But they don't know what a normal week is yet because we haven't had one.”

The Rockets (2-0) hope that changes with Friday's scheduled region clash at home with rival Grove City.

While Slippery Rock was idle last week, Grove City (1-0, 2-1) opened region play with a 42-20 victory against Conneaut (OH).

The Eagles opened the season by winning a shootout with Meadville (50-48), then dropped a 17-14 decision to Fort LeBoeuf Sept. 4.

“We still have some things we need to clean up and address,” said Grove City coach Sam Mowrey, “but we saw a lot of improvement last week.”

Slippery Rock's defense has been dominant for much of the team's two games, but will encounter a very difficult challenge in Grove City.

“They run a very fast-paced offense,” Wendereusz said. “They snap the ball about as soon as it's set down, really keep you on your heels defensively.”

The tempo the Eagles play at is one thing, but their personnel makes stopping them even more daunting.

“Everything starts with their two running backs, Curtis Hovis and Anthony Nemec,” said Wendereusz.

In three games, Hovis has rushed for 411 yards and five scores. Nemec has gained 73 yards and scored twice on just nine carries.

First-year starting quarterback Hunter Hohman, a sophomore, has passed for 683 yards and six touchdowns. His top target is Gavin Lutz, who has turned his 25 receptions into 203 yards and one touchdown.

“He (Hohman) worked hard in the offseason to put himself in position to win the job,” Mowrey said. “He has a level-headed demeanor.”

Much pressure will be on Slippery Rock's defensive line, which is led by tackle Tony Pilosi. He is joined by ends Brody Galcik and Dylan Twentier. Trent Duncan and Jacob Humes split time at nose guard.

“We won't be undersized against Grove City's offensive line,” Wendereusz said, “but they find ways to get off the line and get movement.”

Grove City's offensive front has four starters back from last year, led by center Gage Dlugonski and tackle Nate Wadsworth. Both are team captains and also star on the Eagles' defensive line.

Slippery Rock's offense has gained over 600 yards in two games. Junior quarterback William Mokel has passed for 343 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions.

Shane Thompson has rushed for 132 yards and caught passes worth 148 yards and scored five total touchdowns. Receiver John Sabo has six receptions for 123 yards and a pair of scores.

“It's always a battle with Slippery Rock and we have a ton of respect for them,” said Mowrey.

Grove City leads the all-time series 24-13.

The teams met twice during last year's altered schedule. Grove City won the first meeting 34-21 and the Rockets won the rematch, 17-14.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Troy-Alan Stadium.

Hempfield (2-1) at

Seneca Valley (2-1)

7:30 p.m., Friday

Hempfield outlasted Franklin Regional last week, 30-28 ... Seneca Valley won 17-7 at North Hills ... This is the Quad County Conference opener for both teams.

Spartans' RB Gino Caesar rushed 38 times for 215 yards and 2 TDs in Hempfield's victory. He now has 380 rushing yards this season.

Seneca WR Luke Lawson has 15 receptions for 213 yards and a TD through three games ... RB Nolan Dworek has 180 rushing yards and 2 TDs on 38 carries.

SV won last year's meeting, 38-0.

Highlands (3-0)

at Mars (0-3)

7 p.m., Friday

Highlands remained undefeated last week with a 56-7 victory over Burrell ... Mars lost a 40-14 decision against New Castle.

Golden Rams' QB Chandler Thimons has passed for 340 yards and 6 TDs this season. He has added 195 yards rushing ... RB Luke Bombalski has rushed for 380 yards and scored 7 TDs.

The Planets began the season running a spread offense focused mainly on their passing attack with junior QB Rafael Bartley, but last week reverted to their traditional running game ... RB Evan Wright has gained 273 yards on 48 carries through three games. He tallied 190 yards and scored twice last week.

Mars won last year's meeting, 12-7.

Greensburg Salem (2-1) at Knoch (1-2)

7 p.m., Friday

Knoch tallied its first win of the season on the road last week, downing Deer Lakes, 21-13 ... Greensburg Salem left Mt. Pleasant in the dust, 34-6, for its second victory in as many tries.

The Knights' attack was carried last Friday in large part by Keagan Fraser. The senior rushed for 148 yards and threw for another 145 against the Lancers, with two of his four completions going for touchdowns.

Junior Hayden Teska operates the Golden Lions' offense, passing for just over 245 yards per game over the first three contests ... WR Cody Rubrecht, a senior, has been a secondary's worst nightmare, his average reception being good for more than 28 yards.

Greensburg Salem became only the fifth WPIAL program to reach 700 wins with a 13-12 victory against Knoch last year.

North Catholic (3-0)

at Valley (0-3)

7 p.m., Friday

North won a nail-biter against Blackhawk last Friday, 18-17 ... Valley fell, 36-9, at Shady Side Academy ... This is the Allegheny Seven Conference opener for both teams.

North's Lucius Marbella scored a TD in the Trojans' win when he recovered a blocked punt in the end zone ... Kyle Tipinski has caught 9 passes for 212 yards, including a 38-yard TD last week from Jason Siket ... The Trojans have outscored their foes 121-17.

Valley has been outscored 118-15. The Vikings are led by longtime coach Muzzy Colosimo.

The Trojans defeated the Vikings, 51-6, last season.

Union/A-C Valley (1-1)

at Otto-Eldred (1-2)

7 p.m., Friday

Union/A-C Valley was idle last week after its game vs. Bucktail was canceled due to COVID concerns at A-C Valley ... Otto-Eldred earned its first victory of the season, topping Cameron County 28-8.

The Falcon Knights' most recent game was a 77-0 win over Sheffield Sept. 3.

Otto-Eldred senior QB Gavin Jimerson has thrown for 369 yards, but has just 1 TD and 5 INTs ... The Terrors have 3 players with at least 20 rushing attempts. Senior Ryan Love has been the most impressive of the trio, rushing for 87 yards and 2 TDs on 20 carries ... Otto-Eldred is involved in a football co-op with Oswayo Valley.

The Falcon Knights feature Dawson Camper, a 6-3, 205-pound RB who has rushed for 133 yards and 5 TDs on just 16 carries ... 5 of defensive lineman Mike Card's team-leading 10 tackles have come behind the line of scrimmage.

Summit Academy (0-3)

at New Castle (2-1)

7 p.m., Friday

Summit lost to Springdale last week, 40-14 ... New Castle defeated Mars, 40-14.

Summit, a Class 2A program, has scored 36 points in three games.

New Castle is a Class 4A program and is led by QB Chris Hood, who has rushed for 312 yards, passed for 359 and accounted for 8 total TDs.

Eagle intern Brendan Howe contributed to this report