FOXBURG — The A-C Valley football team has taken several steps forward this season. A victory in its next game could prove to be a giant stride.

On Friday, the Falcons (2-3) will travel to Brookville (4-1), a Class AA team that has reeled off four straight victories, including a 19-14 win over Moniteau last Friday.

“Brookville is big up front and we have to get after it,” said A-C Valley coach Brad Dittman. “It’s going to be a dogfight, but we’re looking to win. That’s how we approach every game.”

Through five games, Falcons’ quarterback Kevin Kaufman has thrown for 793 yards with seven touchdowns and five interceptions.

“He’s got a good command of the offense and he’s progressing every week,” said Dittman.

In last week’s 47-13 home win over Redbank Valley, the Falcons rushed for 232 yards and four touchdowns. But Dittman’s team will be facing an opponent with more and bigger bodies this week.

“Against some of the bigger teams, we’ve struggled to run the ball this year,” he said. “We did well last week, but the key is to keep it going.”

The Raiders’ Multiple I-formation offense has a formidable ground attack with juniors Zach Vroman and Brodie Zacherl.

“Zach has 600 yards rushing and Brodie is in between 400 and 450,” said veteran Brookville coach Chris Dworek. “Overall, we’ve become a lot more confident as a team over the last month.”

Brookville won last year’s meeting 50-6.

“Every year is different,” Dworek said. “All I know is they have a lot of talented players and I’m expecting a close game.”

Warren (5-0, 3-0) at Slippery Rock (5-0, 2-0) 7 p.m., Friday

Coaches: Warren, Brad Wright; Slippery Rock, Brendan Hathaway

Last week: Warren rolled to a 60-36 win over Oil City while Slippery Rock routed East 45-20

Numbers: The Rockets will face another dangerous QB this week in Warren’s Austin Jerman, who has completed 48-of-77 passes for 749 yards and 13 TDs and is also the Dragons’ leading rusher with 415 yards and four TDs. ... Warren is averaging 53.4 ppg. ... SR’s defense, though, has been up to the many challenges it has faced this season. The Rockets have surrendered just 14.8 ppg this season and have intercepted more than 10 passes. ... Despite losing RB Jeff Croll to a knee injury, the Rockets offense is still churning out the rushing yardage with 242 per game.

Notes: SR beat Warren 49-27 in the last meeting between the teams in 2007. ... This is the first 5-0 start for the Rockets since 1984.

Karns City (3-2) at Keystone (2-3) 7 p.m., Friday

Coaches: Karns City, Ed Conto; Keystone, John Stiglitz

Last Week: Karns City defeated Franklin, 30-22;Keystone downed Clarion-Limestone, 21-7

Numbers: The Gremlins’ Adam Whited rushed for 107 yards on 17 carries and Wyatt Everetts added 101 yards on 16 carries in non-conference game while Tyler Kepple completed eight of 14 passes for 116 yards, he threw for one TD and rushed for another. Karns City rushed for 341 yards against the Knights. ... Keystone sophomore Austin Chambers, making his first start, completed 10 of 29 passes for 188 yards, two TD and one INT. He threw a pair of touchdown strikes to Kyle Servey, who finished with four catches for 103 yards. Zack Stiglitz also rushed for the other score.

Notes: The Gremlins blanked the Panthers 50-0 last year. ... Keystone has gone 3-7 the past two seasons.

Uniontown (1-4) at Mars (5-0) 7 p.m., Friday

Coaches: Uniontown, John Fortugna; Mars, Scott Heinauer

Last Week: Uniontown was shut out by Elizabeth Forward 33-0 and the Planets cruised past Greensburg Salem 49-7.

Numbers: The Red Raiders are led by quarterback Xavier Ellis, who has totaled 385 yards passing and three touchdowns to go with 318 yards rushing and four more scores. ... Mars junior Jason Lozzi, who played fullback last year, has moved to wingback for 2012. While he is getting less touches, he is making the most of his opportunities, averaging 10.8 yards per carry (15 for 162) and has added four catches for 53 yards.

Notes: Uniontown last made the WPIAL playoffs in 2009 and has gone a combined 6-17 since then. ... Mars has won its last 15 home games. Its last home loss was Sept. 25, 2009, a 14-10 defeat to Fox Chapel.

Union (4-1) at Kennedy Catholic (1-4) Noon, Saturday

Coaches: Union, Dave Louder; Kennedy Catholic, Archie Donofrio

Last Week: The Golden Knights suffered their first loss against Clarion by a 28-7 margin. Kennedy Catholic was blanked 27-0 at Lakeview.

Numbers: Union quarterback/cornerback Brody Shick has thrown for 538 yards, six touchdowns and just two interceptions this year, while picking off six passes defensively. ... Keenan Rankin has four TD receptions over the past three weeks. ... Cody Kline leads the Golden Knights with 303 rushing yards on the season. ... Kennedy Catholic’s lone win came in an 18-13 decision over Mercer. ... The Golden Eagles have been outscored 154-51 on the year.

Notes: Union and Kennedy Catholic last squared off in 2004, when the Eagles earned a 47-25 win over the Knights.

Redbank Valley (0-5) at Moniteau (0-5) 7 p.m., Friday

Coaches: Redbank Valley, Ed Wasilowski; Moniteau, Jeff Campbell

Last week: Redbank Valley was pounded 47-13 by A-C Valley, while the Warriors were edged 19-14 by Brookville.

Numbers: Senior running back Bam Bailey leads the Bulldogs with 231 rushing yards and two TDs on 54 carries. ... Bulldogs quarterback Jake Dougherty has completed 49.2 percent of his passes for 296 yards. ... After competitive losses to Keystone and Brookville to start the year, Redbank Valley has been outscored 136-19 over the past three weeks by Union, Farrell and A-C Valley. ... The Moniteau rushing attack is led by junior Dustin Geagan, who has 491 yards and three TDs on 91 carries. ... Cody Skiver and Andrew Armagost emerged as secondary rushing threats last week with 84 and 44 yards, respectively.

Notes: Redbank Valley leads the all-time series 30-9-3, but the Warriors have won the past four meetings.

Grove City (4-1) at Saegertown (0-5) 7 p.m., Friday

Coaches: Grove City, Jeff Bell; Saegertown, Mike Rhoades

Last Week: Grove City edged Greenville 19-14 while Saegertown was routed by Wilmington 49-6.

Numbers: Saegertown has had four players throw at least two passes. ... Ryan Kirdahy was 5-of-12 for 54 yards last week for the Panthers and leads the team with 87 yards passing. ... Saegertown has scored just 37 points this season while surrendering 193. ... The Eagles have had to overcome injuries all season. RB Harold Price, who has been banged up, leads the team with 317 yards rushing. RB Foster Reznor, who also has battled injury, has 312 yards on the ground.

Deer Lakes (2-3, 1-3) at Summit Acad. (2-3, 1-3) 12:30 p.m., Saturday

Coaches: Deer Lakes, Todd Hazlett; Summit Academy, Steve Sherer

Last Week: Deer Lakes rolled past Charleroi, 40-21;Summit Academy slipped past Ford City, 20-14.

Numbers: The Lancers’ Cody Keenan rushed for 126 yards and scored twice while Josh Plocki threw for a pair of touchdowns in defeating the Cougars. ... The Knights trailed 14-0 entering he fourth quarter before staging their comeback win. Chris Harp passed for 123 yards and a pair of touchdowns — one each to La’Dale Cole and Jayron Dudley while Robert Burton had a 2-yard rushing score.

Notes: Last season, the Knights defeated the Lancers, 30-10. ... Summit Academy limited Ford City to just 186 total yards last week.