SLIPPERY ROCK — Coach Clyde Conti isn't fooled by the zero in Meadville's win column.

Coach Matt Pendolino isn't fooled by SlipperyRock's one win, either.

The Slippery Rock High and Meadville football teams have one victory and 13 losses between them. But to hear the two coaches talk, both teams should have far more wins and far fewer defeats.

"They seem to be pretty decent," said Pendolino, who has his 0-7 Bulldogs preparing to face the 1-6 Rockets at home Friday night. "I see a very well disciplined team, a well coached team."

And a team desperate for another win.

Slippery Rock was shut out by Titusville on homecoming 27-0 last week, but the Rockets had the ball inside the Titusville 2 on two different occasions and came away with no points.

Meadville, on the other hand, has lost three games by a touchdown or less, including a 29-24 setback to Oil City last week.

"We've been our own worst enemy," Pendolino said. "We've had turnovers, interceptions, fumbles, costly penalties. That's been the big thing."

When Meadville isn't committing those foibles, Conti said, the Bulldogs have been a pretty good team.

When Conti watches Meadville on film, he finds himself shaking his head.

"It's difficult to believe they haven't won a ballgame yet," Conti said. "They're physical and emotional, and they look very athletic. They just happen to lose."

SlipperyRock will have its hands full with quarterback Joe Mottillo, who is a threat to run while operating the option attack. He is also a danger with his arm.

Slippery Rock faced an option attack several weeks ago against General McLane and struggled against it.

Conti's rockets have been dogged by injuries, and his team suffered another costly one against Titusville.

Ryan Ferguson, who carried 30 times for 122 yards in the Rockets' only win two weeks ago against OilCity, injured his knee early last Friday. He had only one carry for seven yards.

Ferguson's status for Friday's game is unknown.

The Rockets have not scored more than 17 points in a game this season and most of their points have come on long and methodical drives. Meadville has also struggled offensively, toping 20 points in just one game.

Meadville closes with powers General McLane and Strong Vincent, so playing Slippery Rock might be the best chance for the Bulldogs to avoid a winless season.

"We always look at it as a one-game season," Pendolino said. "It has been frustrating, but we don't look on what has happened in the past."