SLIPPERY ROCK — A backyard rivalry turned into a backyard rout.

Slippery Rock ambushed Grove City, scoring two touchdowns before the Eagles' potent offense took the field, and the Rockets ran away with a 34-7 Region 3 football victory at Troy-Alan Stadium Friday night.

“Grove City scored on their first possession in each of their first three games,” said Slippery Rock coach Larry Wendereusz. “So for us to go up 14-0 before they touched the ball, that was big.”

The Rockets (1-0, 3-0) took the opening kickoff and used seven plays to drive to Grove City's 37, where they faced a 4th-and-7.

Quarterback William “Zip” Mokel rolled right and hit Brendan Earl, who had gotten behind the Eagle defense, for the game's first touchdown.

Slippery Rock's offense was soon back on the field when the Rockets recovered a Grove City fumble on the ensuing kickoff.

This time, it took the Rockets just three plays to score. Shane Thompson's 16-yard run, followed by Nick Kingerski's extra point, made it 14-0 just four minutes into the game.

Mokel completed 15 of 25 passes for 211 yards and three touchdowns and added a short scoring run in the fourth quarter.

“Our defense played so well in our first two wins, it was nice to get them that early lead tonight,” he said.

The Rockets ran a no-huddle offense.

“We've used it before in games, but tonight was the fastest we've gone,” Mokel added.

“I'd love to go at Grove City's pace, they're really fast,” Wendereusz said. “But we just want to be smart with it. When you have a quarterback like “Zip,” you can do that.”

The Eagles have the ability to overwhelm opponents with the combination of scheme and personnel. But they were put on their heels with the early deficit and never really recovered.

Star running back Curtis Hovis fumbled away Grove City's first offensive possession. Even though the turnover did not lead to points, it was one of many frustrating moments for head coach Sam Mowrey.

“We couldn't get out of our own way,” he said. “Slippery Rock took advantage of our turnovers and the short fields and they controlled the line of scrimmage.”

That was evident in Hovis' night, which included just 72 yards on 22 carries. He had 411 yards and five touchdowns entering Friday.

Mokel teamed with wideout John Sabo for a 21-yard touchdown that made it 21-0 early in the second quarter.

The Eagles (1-1, 2-2) finally drove deep into Slippery Rock territory shortly before halftime, but facing a 4th-and-4 from the 17, defensive back Sal Mineo tackled Zach Rodgers a yard shy of a first down.

Earl caught a short scoring pass that gave the Rockets a 27-0 lead with 4:15 left in the third period.

Grove City's lone score came when quarterback Hunter Hohman found the end zone from 23 yards out late in the third. Anthony Pereira then recovered an onside kick for the Eagles, but three plays later, Hohman was intercepted by Ryan Montgomery at Slippery Rock's 5.

“Our guys had an edge tonight and they busted their tails,” said Wendereusz.

It wasn't all good news for the Rockets. Shortly after scoring his sixth touchdown of the season in the first quarter, Thompson left the game and did not return with an apparent collarbone injury.

“We're hoping for the best,” said Wendereusz.

Slippery Rock hosts Corry next Friday.

Grove City 0 0 7 0 — 7

Slippery Rock 14 7 6 7 — 34

First Quarter

SR — Brendan Earl 37 pass from William Mokel (Nick Kingerski kick), 9:25

SR — Shane Thompson 16 run (Kingerski kick), 8:01

Second Quarter

SR — John Sabo 21 pass from Mokel (Kingerski kick), 10:07

Third Quarter

SR — Earl 3 pass from Mokel (kick blocked), 4:15

GC — Hunter Hohman 23 run (John Hake kick), 1:03

Fourth Quarter

SR — Mokel 2 run (Kingerski kick), 3:48

Individual Statistics

Rushing: Grove City, Curtis Hovis 22-72, Anthony Nemec 6-12, Zach Rodgers 2-6, Hunter Hohman 5-18, Anthony Pereira 1-11. Slippery Rock, Ryan Montgomery 9-53, William Mokel 7-14, Shane Thompson 2-21, Brett Galcik 12-37, Sal Mineo 1-6, TEAM 3-(-12).

Passing: Grove City, Hunter Hohman 13-23-153-1. Slippery Rock, William Mokel 15-25-211-0.

Receiving: Grove City, Gavin Lutz 3-34, Anthony Pereira 4-41, Zach Rodgers 4-50, Joey Hathaway 2-28. Slippery Rock, Shane Thompson 2-23, Brendan Earl 3-87, Brett Galcik 1-0, Ryan Montgomery 4-36, John Sabo 4-59, Colton Glass 1-6.