The Slippery Rock High School football team is used to playoff pressure.

But in September?

That's the fate of the Rockets after a 24-0 loss to Grove City - their first shutout loss under coach Clyde Conti in two-plus years and the first blanking since late in the 2001 season.

Every game is a must-win for the Rockets, who are two games behind undefeated Greenville with four league games remaining.

The Trojans come to Slippery Rock for a 7 p.m. kickoff Friday.

But Conti isn't focusing on the narrow margin of error.

"I'll be honest with you," Conti said. "That's not even in my mind. It's not anything we're talking to the kids about."

It is there, though.

Greenville (4-0 overall, 3-0 in Region 3) can put a serious kibosh on the Rockets' playoff hopes with a win.

The Trojans are coming off a 20-10 victory over Wilmington - and are coming into Slippery Rock as the favorite.

The Rockets were rarely an underdog last season on the way to their second consecutive District 10, Class AA championship and a PIAA Western Final appearance.

But things change.

"That's OK," Conti said of his team's underdog status. "To be quite honest, the only opinion I care about is my wife's and my boss.'"

Conti has a high opinion of Greenville coach Bob Stone.

It's been a big year already for the Trojans. Early in the season, they won the 500th game in school history.

"This is my highest moment each year - getting to stand across the field from Bob Stone," Conti said.

Greenville has won some close games this season, turning Grove City away on the final play for a seven-point win and launching a fourth-quarter surge to topple the Greyhounds last week.

"We were a little on the young side last year," Stone said. "We had a good offseason. This is a pretty good football team, but four games don't make a season."

Greenville's offense features a punishing ground game, led by Jared Zuschlag, who has 267 yards on 55 carries and has scored six touchdowns.

"They put the 'P' in power football," Conti said.

Slippery Rock remains a dangerous team, though.

Sean Ray, despite being held to 13 yards on eight carries against Grove City, is still averaging 6.9 yards per carry. If fullback Trevor Gallo is healthy after injuring his leg last week, the Rockets will have another bullish running threat to offset the sneaky quickness of Ray.

"Certainly, you can't take anyone lightly," Stone said. "This is a very tough region and you can't look past anyone, particularly on the heels of what happened last season."

Greenville came into its game against Slippery Rock last year undefeated, but the Rockets won 47-6.

"They put it to us last year," Stone said.

The big question mark is Gallo, whose status is uncertain.

Quarterback Ben Collins also took a hit to the ribs last week and Slippery Rock was already playing without linebacker Brandon Ray.

"We'll have to wait and see (about Gallo's status)," Conti said. "He's obviously a core player for us. But we're not using that as an excuse. Injuries are part of the game."

Upsets are also part of the game and Conti is hoping his team can turn one in.

"That's the great thing about team sports," Conti said. "Every once in a while you can sneak up on someone and win."

Although Slippery Rock might not sneak up on Greenville, Stone is still wary.

"I guess you could say we are going into the cave after the bear," Stone said.