SR seeks elusive win over GC

FROM STAFF REPORTS

August 30, 2007 Last Updated: August 30, 2007 01:44 PM High School

SLIPPERY ROCK — It's been a while since the Slippery Rock High football team has come out on the winning side against rival Grove City.

"We haven't beaten Grove City in a millennium," said Slippery Rock coach Clyde Conti.

While it hasn't been that long — the last Rockets triumph over the Eagles was in 2003 — it has been far too long for the current crop of Slippery Rock seniors.

Long as in never.

On the other sideline, Grove City's seniors have never lost to their rival seven miles down Route 173.

The two teams meet at 8 p.m. Friday at Slippery Rock University. The game was moved because Slippery Rock High was unable to repair a goal post, damaged by vandals two weeks ago, in time for the game.

Grove City leads the all-time series 15-8, including a 21-13 win last year at Forker Field.

On paper, Grove City is the favorite with an explosive backfield featuring Chris Clark, who gained nearly 1,400 yards last season, and Dwayne Martin, who gobbled up another 700 yards rushing.

But that advantage isn't as big as it appear. In the previous two meetings, Slippery Rock was an underdog, but nearly emerged victorious.

"That just seems to be the way it is the last few years," said Grove City coach Jeff Bell. "It should be a fun game for the fans. I don't know about the coaches, but for the fans it will be a great game. It's usually close."

Unlike other backyard rivalries, this one has been incredibly civil. There has been no trash talking or fisticuffs on the field.

The game was in jeopardy last season when Slippery Rock moved out of District 10 Class AA into Class AAA. But the two schools worked out a schedule that allowed the teams to clash in a non-region game in Week 1.

"It was important to keep this rivalry alive," Conti said. "This is a very positive-type rivalry. We have a lot of respect for the people they have involved in their sports programs. The team they have this year is very gifted."

In addition to Clark and Martin, Grove City also can attack with speedy wingback Justin Spencer.

Speed is one thing Slippery Rock does not have in abundance. However, the Rockets are not devoid of weapons.

They feature junior quarterback Jonathan Powell, who was a dangerous runner and passer, particularly toward the end of the 2006 season.

The Rockets also get a healthy J.R. Thompson back in the lineup. Thompson, a running back and defensive back, was injured on the first play of the season in 2006.

Bell is particularly wary of Powell's deceptiveness while running Conti's Wing-T attack.

"That's what makes him so dangerous — his ball-handling skills," Bell said. "He's definitely a threat to run it and to pass it. I don't expect him to throw the ball 20 times a game, but Slippery Rock has always been a team that likes to take its shots in the passing game downfield and make big plays. And they aren't afraid to do it at any time. They can be backed up at their own 5 and they'll come out throwing.

"We have to be aware of that."

Bell said he will use two quarterbacks against Slippery Rock. Senior Keith Rundle and junior Mike Burk will share playing time under center.

• Last Year's Game: Montour 34, Knoch 6• Last Year's Record: Montour 3-6, Knoch 4-5• Coaches: Montour:Lou Cerro, third year; Knoch:Mike King, ninth year• Game Notes: Spartans won as many games last year as previous three seasons combined. ... Montour junior quarterback E.J. Banks is a third-year starter and completed 10 passes for 92 yards vs. Knights last year. ... Montour has not posted a winning season since 1999. ... Knights RBAlex Whisler rushed for 100 yards in three of Knoch's four wins in 2006. ... Knoch returns eight starters on both sides of the ball.

• Last Year's Game: Mars 32, Laurel 20• Last Year's Record: Mars 9-2, Laurel 7-3• Coaches: Mars:Scott Heinauer, 16th year, 92-67; Laurel:Jerry Holzhauser• Game Notes: In last year's game, Mars fullback Bill Bair ran for 150 yards and scored four touchdowns, including one on a 94-yard kickoff return. ... Laurel graduated star quarterback Corey Collins, who threw for 844 yards and eight touchdowns a season ago. ... The Spartans, who run a spread offense, will start either senior Aaron Pollum or sophomore Tyler Forbes at quarterback. ... Since moving to the Tri-County North Conference in 2004, the Planets are 1-2 against Laurel. ... Mars and Laurel were co-champs of the conference last season.

• Last Year's Game: Moniteau 42, Clarion-Limestone 6• Last Year's Record: Clarion-Limestone 2-7, Moniteau 6-5• Coaches: Clarion-Limestone:Todd Smith, fifth year, 33-12 in career; Moniteau:Jeff Campbell, first year, served as defensive coordinator last six years.• Game Notes: Lions' loss to Moniteau last year marked team's first season-opening defeat in five years. ... C-Lranked 24th of 26 District 9 teams in rushing in 2006, averaging 84 yards per game. ... C-Laveraged just 152 yards per game of overall offense. ... C-L's 26-player roster has only five seniors. ... Moniteau averaged 131 yards rushing and 129 yards passing per game last season. ... Warriors QBTyler Armagost threw for 1,279 yards and WRJosh Loos caught 12 passes for 251 yards.

• Last Year's Game: Karns City 28, St. Marys 13• Last Year's Record: St. Marys 2-8; Karns City 10-2• Coaches: St. Marys: Joe Schlimm, fourth season, 9-20; Karns City: Ed Conto, eighth year, 59-19• Game Notes: The Dutchmen return senior running back Brian Tamberlin, who rushed for 933 yards and 11 touchdowns, but quarterback Bryan Dempsey graduated. ... St. Marys allowed 19.7 points per game last year. ... Karns City reached the District 9 Class AA championship last season before losing to Brookville 21-3. The squad went undefeated in the Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference with a 7-0 mark. ... Karns City has just five seniors on the roster but 22 juniors and 17 sophomores. ... Junior Anthony Stimac won the Gremlins' starting quarterback position over Chris Price, who still has a lingering knee injury.

• Last Year's Game: Freeport 17, Shady Side Academy 6• Last Year's Record: Freeport 5-4, Shady Side Academy 5-5• Coaches: Freeport:Bill Dillen, fourth year; Shady Side Academy:Dave Havern, fourth year• Game Notes: The Indians have quarterback Dan Rooney healthy again after suffering a broken collarbone in Week 5 last season. ... Freeport lost its starting quarterback in Brian Zimmerman, top running back in Brady Sherrieb and receivers in Josh Schrecengost, Cory Massart and Matt Caripolti. ... Kirk Naedele returns as the top offensive threat with 346 yards rushing for the Yellowjackets.

• Last Year's Game: Clarion 53, A-C Valley 6• Last Year's Record: A-C Valley 0-9, Clarion 5-6• Coaches: A-C Valley:Gary Pinkerton, first year; Clarion:Larry Wiser, 20th year, 124-62-1• Game Notes: A-C Valley will attempt to break a 13-game losing streak. ... The Falcons' last win came Oct. 7, 2005, in a 26-13 victory over Union. ... A-C Valley running back Mike Himes gained 62 yards on 12 carries in last year's meeting and caught a 13-yard pass from Brad Rembold for the Falcons' lone score. ... Clarion's 5-6 record a year ago included a loss to eventual District 9 champion Coudersport (32-14) in the Class A quarterfinals. ... Clarion graduated its top two rushers from last year in Brad Rapp and Larry Stout, who combined for 1,530 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns.

• Last Year's Game: Union 6, Cambridge Springs 0• Last Year's Record: Cambridge Springs (5-5), Union (2-8)• Coaches: Union: Tom Kidder; Cambridge Springs: Walt Nottingham• Game Notes: Union broke a 30-game losing streak by beating Cambridge Springs 6-0 last season. ... After dropping their first two games last year, the Devils won five of their next six games, nearly missing the playoffs. ... Colby Davis may be a big part of Union's offense in the season opener. Last year, the junior rushed for 562 yards.

• Last Year's Game: Summit Academy 12, Union-New Castle 0• Last Year's Record: Union-New Castle 2-7, Summit Academy 4-5• Coaches: Union-New Castle:Stacy Robinson, 11th year; Summit Academy:Steve Sherer, seventh year, 16-38• Game Notes: The Scotties won two of their final three games after an 0-6 start in 2006. ... Linnell Robinson and Markus Allen will make a formidable tandem as running backs. ... Union surrendered 308 points in nine games, including 61 to Mars. ... The Knights' four wins set a program record and they were one game away from their first WPIALplayoff berth. ... Returning letterwinner David Lawrence will be the team's wild card, lining up as a running back and at wide receiver. He might also play linebacker or cornerback.