SLIPPERY ROCK — Things couldn't have gone much better for the Slippery Rock High football team in its season opener.

Or much worse for Meadville in its kickoff to the season.

The two teams will meet in a Region 5-AAA game at 7 p.m. Friday at Slippery Rock. The Rockets will look to keep something good going while the Bulldogs will try to reverse a disturbing start.

“Meadville has always been tough,” said Slippery Rock coach Brendan Hathaway. “They'll come in her prepared and we'll have to do the same. Our defense is going to have to dig in and get ready for a dogfight.”

Slippery Rock (1-0) rolled over Brashear 44-7 at home Friday. The Rockets rolled up 440 yards rushing and 532 total yards in the rout.

Four of Slippery Rock's touchdowns went for more than 60 yards.

“I was not expecting us to blow them out 44-7 at all,” said wide receiver Chris Reeseman, who caught two passes for 92 yards and two touchdowns from quarterback Jake Whitmer, who was making his first career start under center. “When we did, I got real pumped.”

Excuse Meadville for not having the same feeling.

After battling with Northwestern in a tight 14-7 game late in the third quarter, the Bulldogs watched as the Wildcats scored the final 17 points of the game for a 31-7 win.

“It was a close game until the fourth quarter when a few breaks went Northwestern's way and it piled on,” Hathaway said.

Meadville was breaking in a pair of offensive weapons in sophomore quarterback Tanner Frye and sophomore fullback Jarrid Miller.

Frye was 3-of-10 passing for 31 yards and Miller gained 87 yards rushing on 17 carries.

Senior halfback Ryan Harkness led the Bulldogs with 113 yards on 23 carries. Meadville outgained Northwestern 248-200.

“That sophomore (Miller) is a big boy and he runs hard,” Hathaway said. “He got some yardage in that game and looked real good in a scrimmage against Wilmington. They have Harkness back. They have three good backs and their quarterback manages the game.”

So did Whitmer, who had a fine debut under center for Slippery Rock. He threw just two passes and completed them both and also rushed for 116 yards and two TDs.

“On offense, we really executed,” Hathaway said. “Jake did a nice job playing within the offense and took what was there.”

Eleven players carried the ball for the Rockets.

“Hey, it's a pretty good day for us when we have that many guys carrying the ball and we need to only pass twice,” Hathaway said.

Knoch (0-1) at Trinity (0-1)

Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Last week: Knoch fell to Greensburg-Salem 20-14 while Trinity was toppled by Elizabeth Forward 46-0

Numbers: Thanks to several sacks, Knoch had just 1 yard rushing in the opener. ... Cody Milsom led the Knights on the ground with 33 yards on 12 carries. ... Knoch coach Mike King still plans on splitting time at QB between Dan Farinelli and Troy Hixson. Farinelli was 8-of-23 for 102 yards, two TDs and a INT while Hixson was 3-of-4 for 25 yards. ... Trinity was outgained 346-22 in the first half against EF. ... The Hillers ran 25 plays in the first half and only four went for positive yardage.

Notes: Knoch beat Trinity 40-7 last year. ... The Knights came out of the opener with no significant injuries. “The only thing that got bruised was egos,” King said.

Mars (0-1, 0-1) at Derry (0-1, 0-1)

Friday, 7 p.m.

Last week: The Planets fell at home to Franklin Regional 20-13; Derry was shut out at Albert Gallatin 52-0.

Numbers: Mars senior QB Owen Nearhoof threw for 202 yards last week, with one touchdown and three interceptions, though two of the turnovers came on desperation passes at the end of the first and second half. ... Nolan Skirtich had a solid debut as Mars' starting TE, catching three passes for 77 yards, while WR Travis Ganter had three receptions for 110 yards and a touchdown. ... Albert Gallatin's win over Derry last week was the Colonials' first victory in 19 games. ... Derry's third-year head coach, Al Gaiardo, has just nine seniors on the roster this season.

Notes: Mars has not lost two straight regular-season games since dropping the first two contests of 2005 against Pine-Richland and Center. ... Derry last made the WPIAL playoffs in 2009. Since then, the Trojans have gone a combined 5-24. ... Mars beat Derry last year 56-0.

Ford City (0-1, 0-1) at Freeport (0-1, 0-1) Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Last week: Ford City was shut out by Shady Side Academy 21-0 while Freeport fell to Kittanning 40-14.

Numbers: Ford City managed just 110 yards of total offense in the opening-game loss. ... Junior QB Mike Bartosiewicz struggled for the Sabers, going 4-for-12 for 6 yards and a INT. ... Steve Lassinger was one of the bright spots for Freeport with 42 yards rushing and a touchdown.

Notes: Freeport RB Josh Brestensky left the opener with a knee injury. He tore his MCL and will be out 4-to-6 weeks. ... Freeport beat Ford City last year, 19-14.

West Middlesex (0-1)

at Moniteau (0-1)

Friday, 7 p.m.

Last week: West Middlesex was downed 28-10 by Wilmington; the Warriors were defeated 35-12 by Sharpsville.

Numbers: Quarterback Cody Skiver scored both of Moniteau's touchdowns last week with runs of 35 and 5 yards. ... Skiver led the Warriors in rushing with 78 yards on 13 carries, while Stephen Hagg added 76 yards on 12 totes. ... Moniteau finished with 265 yards of total offense against Sharpsville, but allowed Tyler Wansack to rush for 165 yards on 12 carries. ... The Big Reds did most of their offensive damage through the air against Wilmington. Quarterback Trey Haunch completed 9-of-17 passes for 119 yards and Dillon Fair had six catches for 72 yards. ... Luke Hemminger led the Big Reds in rushing with 46 yards on just one carry.

Notes: West Middlesex beat Moniteau 28-0 last season. ... Moniteau's first two opponents, Sharpsville and West Middlesex, played for the District 10 Class A championship last season.

Grove City (1-0)

at Wilmington (1-0)

Friday, 7 p.m.

Last week: Grove City downed Carrick 34-12; Wilmington beat West Middlesex 28-10.

Numbers: Wilmington coach Terry Verrelli is in his 35th season as the Greyhounds head coach. ... Wilmington QB Cody Llewellyn was 8-of-15 passing for 147 yards and two TDs. ... Hounds RB Reese Bender paced the running game with 63 yards on 10 carries. ... Grove City had a typical Grove City opener, rushing for 367 yards and using nine different running backs in the win over Carrick. ... Foster Reznor led the attack with 106 yards on 10 carries. ... Jesse Hodge scored three TDs.

Notes: Grove City beat Wilmington 19-7 last year. ... The Eagles have won now won 10 straight season openers.

Union (1-0)

at Punxsutawney (0-1)

Friday, 7 p.m.

Last week: The Golden Knights picked up a 36-7 win over A-C Valley; Punxsutawney was edged 25-22 by Brookville.

Numbers: Dylan Shired paced the Union offense last week with 117 rushing yards and two TDs on 11 carries. ... Lane Cicciarelli and Shane Murphy proved to be a potent aerial combination last week, hooking up three times for 107 yards and three touchdowns. ... Cody Stockdill recorded 16 tackles for Union against A-C. ... Punxsutawney senior QB Matt Burkett completed 10-of-19 passes for 133 yards with two scores and two interceptions last week. ... Christian Falgout led the Chucks in rushing with 97 yards and a TD on 15 carries. ... Clayton Dale was Punxsy's top receiving threat with five catches for 85 yards.

Notes: Union downed Punxsutawney 21-6 last season.

Clay-Battelle (1-0)

at A-C Valley (0-1)

Friday, 7 p.m.

Last week: Clay-Battelle defeated Paden City (W.Va.) 41-6, while A-C Valley lost to Union 36-7.

Numbers: In the Cee Bees' Week 1 win, QB Tristan Haught threw for 245 yards and five TDs and WR Jarret Hockenberry made four receptions for 50 yards and a pair of scores. ... A-C Valley was led by Mike Suto's 90 yards from scrimmage (62 rushing and 28 receiving) and one TD on the ground.

Notes: Clay-Battelle beat the visiting Falcons last season 26-13.

Waynesburg Central (0-1)

at Summit Academy (1-0)

Saturday, 12:30 p.m.

Last week: Waynesburg Central lost 33-13 to Mt. Pleasant. ... Summit Academy earned a 35-6 win over East Allegheny.

Numbers: Waynesburg's John Glen Davis ran for 150 yards on 12 carries last week, including a 34-yard TD. ... The Raiders' second touchdown was provided by Bo Hampson on a 24-yard run. ... Elijah Hardy paced the Knights to last week's win with 247 yards and three TDs on 12 carries. ... Larry Richardson added 63 yards and a score on seven attempts. ... Ja'Ron Hill-Phillips was 2-for-2 passing and both were hauled in by Lemuel McFadden for 59 yards.

Notes: Summit Academy edged Waynesburg Central by an 8-7 margin last season.