SLIPPERYROCK — Clyde Conti lives for the zing.

"Every now and then, you can zing somebody," the Slippery Rock HighSchool football coach said. "Every once in a while you can catch a team. I just want to beat somebody."

For the third time in his five years at Slippery Rock, Conti and the Rockets have started 0-2. But Conti is famous for pulling off those zings he likes to talk about. He zinged Wilmington — the PIAA Class AA semifinalist last season — 3-0.

The Rockets will be looking for another zing when they host Sto-Rox (1-1) in their home opener at 7 p.m. Friday.

The Vikings are coming off a 22-12 loss to perennial power Aliquippa and will be playing their first nonconference game in three years.

"You treat every game as an experience," said Sto-Rox coach Jason Ruscitto. "It's an opportunity for us to show what we can do."

Sto-Rox can do a lot on offense.

It all starts with quarterback Jules Crosby, who completed 11-of-24 passes for 281 yards and four touchdowns against Center in a season-opening 34-14 victory.

Crosby has had more of the offensive onus on him this season because the Vikings have been without their top two tailbacks, senior Jaron Whitney, who rushed for more than 1,000 yards as a freshman at Gateway, and senior Eric Tschudi.

The bulk of the running game has been handled by fullbacks Ross Greenwade and Dorsey Freeman.

"I can't wait to get them back," Ruscitto said. "Losing JaronWhitney really changed the complexion of our offense."

There is no timetable for the return of his backs. His absence has made Sto-Rox a more passing-oriented team — which hasn't necessarily been a bad thing.

The increase in passing has made stars out of receivers Isiah Scott, Anthony DiMichele and Nico DiMichele.

Anthony DiMichele is getting some looks from Division I schools.

"Receiver has turned out to be one of our team strengths," Ruscitto said.

Slippery Rock has had two difficult losses.

The Rockets led Grove City 10-7 in the second half before losing 21-13. They also led Erie East in the second half 14-6 before falling 20-14.

"Those losses might hurt, but 24 hours later reality sets in," Conti said. "There are worse things."

Slippery Rock was haunted by fumbles, one costly one in particular that gave East the ball inside the 5.

"The effort is certainly there," Conti said. "But when you put the ball on the ground ... and have mental lapses, it makes it tough."

Also making it tough on Slippery Rock is the M*A*S*H unit its locker room is turning into.

The trainer has gotten more work than the Rockets' offensive stars.

Slippery Rock is already without running back and safety J.R. Thompson, who broke his ankle on the seasons' second play and is out for the year.

Also nicked up are key cogs on both sides of the ball Adam Brydon, Ryan Ferguson, Jesse Kniess, Andrew Novak and Derrick Orloski.

The injuries thrust Chase Conti into a more active role in the offense. Chase, the coach's son, had never played football at any level until this season. He was a cross country star for the Rockets until taking up football in his senior season.

Despite his lack of experience, he was impressive against East, scoring on a 30-yard run and rushing for a team-leading 56 yards on just six carries.

"When we play them, we just have to let it go, let it rip," Conti said. "We're definitely playing a juggernaut."

But maybe one they can zing.