SLIPPERY ROCK — Jonathan Powell is well aware of the history of quarterbacks at Slippery Rock High School.

Greg Grupp, Mike DeCola, Luke McCaffrey and Ben Collins have preceded him.They all made an impact with their arms, feet and intangibles — or all three.

But Powell, who is entering his senior season with the Rockets, just might be the best of the bunch.

"I'm honored to be one of those quarterbacks," Powell said. "I'm just glad I can be a part of that long line of successful QBs here."

Powell's success this season won't be measured by yards passing or rushing, or his scores through the air or on the ground. Instead, it will be measured by wins, losses and if the Rockets make a return trip to the District 10 playoffs.

Winning is No. 1 on Powell's mind. Everything else is moot.

"Every single day I have been here working," Powell said. "I practice every day, work every day, lift every day. I'll be disappointed with anything less than the playoffs."

That's what endears Powell to Slippery Rock coach Clyde Conti, who has had his fair share of standouts at the position in his 25 years as a high-school football coach.

He was blessed with some of the best at Clarion-Limestone and found some gems when he moved to SlipperyRock six seasons ago, unearthing DeCola and Collins, who took the Rockets to within a quarter of the state championship game in 2003.

"When I got my first coaching job in the fall of 1973, the first thing I wanted to do was meet my quarterback," Conti said. "The quarterback is like the point guard in basketball.He's the extension of the coach."

Perhaps no one exemplifies that more than Powell, who has earned so much trust fromConti and the Slippery Rock coaching staff that he has become like another coach on the field.

Powell is a student of the game and he studies hard.

"I feel like I have a lot more knowledge about the game than a lot of people do because I pay more attention to every part of it," Powell said.

He wasn't always so keen. He went through his struggles as a sophomore when he was thrust into the starting role.

Powell sputtered at the beginning of the season, as did his team. The Rockets started the year 0-5.

But Powell turned the corner againstMeadville, leadingSlippery Rock to its first win. The Rockets finished the season with four victories in their final five games and narrowly missed the playoffs.

Last year, Powell was a star from the start, throwing for 1,187 yards and eight touchdowns and running for another 654 yards and seven touchdowns to lead Slippery Rock to the postseason, where it lost to district power GeneralMcLane.

With an offense molded to his abilities, Powell felt the freedom to shine like his predecessors.

"I like it because I have freedom to do what I want," Powell said. "Coach can just tell me to run what I want, what I think is going to work. He really trusts me on my play calls. That's an honor that he puts that much trust in me."

Powell always has to keep sharp with Conti around. From day to day he has no idea what will be in the playbook and what won't, he said.

"That's the toughest part: switching offenses," Powell said. "We get plays one day and then throw them out the next day. It's just a lot of memorization."

Powell runs a lot more than the quarterbacks before him. Collins didn't do a lot of running until his senior season. McCaffrey, who had a 1,222-yard season, only ran out of necessity.

Grupp was a threat with both his arm and legs, leading the Rockets to the playoffs in 1999.

Powell has his own style. It's one of a linebacker trapped in a 5-foot-8, 165-pound body.

He bulked up in the offseason, knowing that he needed to get stronger to take the beating as a passer and a runner.

One thing that has never been in doubt is his toughness. Powell played the playoff game against General McLane with a separated throwing shoulder.

"He has some spunk to him," Conti said. "The kid just wants to win."