On the surface, this game might look like a stinker.

Two 0-4 high school football teams who have struggled to generate points. Two 0-4 teams heading nowhere in District 10, Region 3 - a place where two losses is a death sentence.

But appearances are deceiving when it comes to these two 0-4 teams.

When Slippery Rock travels to Greenville for a 7 p.m. kickoff Friday night, the two teams will square off in the "what if" bowl.

Had a few breaks gone Slippery Rock or Greenville's way this season, both teams could just as easily be playing to keep its playoff hopes alive.

"The kids up in Greenville are in a similar situation," said Slippery Rock coach Clyde Conti. "They had a chance to beat Wilmington and were driving down the field late. Reynolds is a terrific football team this year and we held them to less than 100 yards."

But both were losses. Slippery Rock suffered perhaps its most heartbreaking one Friday against rival Grove City, losing 34-31 in double overtime.

It's a tough pill for both Conti and Greenville coach Bob Stone to swallow.

Greenville is off to its first 0-4 start since 1945. Those kinds of statistics Stone could do without.

"It's been, obviously, very frustrating," Stone said. "Nobody likes to lose."

The Trojans lost to undefeated Wilmington last week 13-3. The two touchdowns the Greyhounds scored were on drives - if they can be called that - of 2 and 10 yards.

"Our defense has played very well," Stone said. "But there always seems to be two or three breakdowns that cost us ballgames."

Slippery Rock has suffered a similar fate. The Rockets lost in the opener to Fairview on a long pass on the final play of the game.

It lost last week despite leading Grove City 31-24 in the first overtime and forcing the Eagles to throw a touchdown pass on a fourth-and-8.

Playing well in defeat still doesn't satisfy Conti.

"We still lost the football game," Conti said of playing Grove City tough. "We're not out after moral victories. I want to beat somebody and so do our kids. When you lose, it makes you hungrier to win."

Both teams are famished. And both teams have enough in the cupboard to get a few wins before the season is over.

Slippery Rock quarterback Ben Collins threw of 202 yards and two touchdowns against the Eagles last week. He was adept at looking off coverages and finding open receivers.

J.R. Thompson turned into a potent threat on offense and a stopper on defense and senior Mike Regal has been solid on both the offensive and defensive lines for the Rockets.

Slippery Rock scored all 31 points in the second half and overtime against the Eagles, appearing for the first time all season to find its stride offensively.

"Ben Collins played great," Conti said. "We're going to need to give him some help. The effort is there from the guys. We're trying to find the right mix."

Greenville still hasn't found the right formula on offense as the Trojans biggest offensive output of the season has been 14 points against Mercer.

Greenville has managed to score only 35 points this season.

"We have to generate more offense," Stone said. "I know it sounds stupid, but we have score more points, continue to play good defense and eliminate these huge errors. Any team that does that is going to probably win."

Greenville is led by quarterback Cody Emmett, who has had an inconsistent senior season. He was just 5-of-17 passing for 36 yards and two interceptions against Wilmington.

The Trojans have a pair of running backs they can rely on in Tim Scelsi and Jared Zuschlag. The duo combined for 86 yards on 17 carries against the Greyhounds.

It's homecoming at Greenville this week. It's just one more thing that makes Stone cringe about this game.

"Oh, the 'H' word," Stone said. "We don't mention the 'H' word around here. The last time Slippery Rock came here for homecoming, they scored 50 points on us."