SLIPPERY ROCK — If Brendan Hathaway had his druthers, the Slippery Rock High football team would never throw a pass.

“We don’t make it a secret that we want to run the ball,” the Slippery Rock coach said, chuckling. “I’d be perfectly fine with not having to throw the ball at all.”

And why should they? When Slippery Rock (8-0, 4-0) has run the football this season, good things have happened.

How good? The Rockets have gained 3,509 yards rushing this season and have scored 44 TDs on the ground. They are averaging 10.7 yards per carry.

Last week, fullback Frank Conlon had 163 yards rushing — on three carries.

Everyone has gotten in on the act. Conlon now leads Slippery Rock with 721 yards on 64 carries, but eight other players have at least 109 yards rushing.

A-back Ryan Lauster has 618 yards on the ground this season — on 24 attempts.

That’s a lot of crooked numbers for Oil City to contend with this week as the Oilers come to Slippery Rock for a 7 p.m. kickoff Friday.

Like Slippery Rock, Oil City (6-2, 4-0) is undefeated in District 10, Region 5-AAA.

And like Slippery Rock, Oil City has a potent attack, especially in the passing game.

“We haven’t seen a team put it up in the air that much,” Hathaway said. “It’s going to be a test this week for our defensive backs. But they have done well staying deep and not giving up the big play.”

Slippery Rock has given up just two passing TDs this season while snatching 12 interception. Cornerback Chris Reeseman had three picks last week against Franklin.

Oil City coach Matt LaVerde said his offense is not just about the passing game, though.

“We want to be balanced,” LaVerde said.

Oil City quarterback Jackson McFall has had a solid season for the Oilers, throwing for 1,170 yards and 12 touchdowns.

His favorite target is Logan Way, who has hauled in 45 passes for 642 yards and eight scores.

Oil City rolled up 520 yards of offense against Karns City last week in a 48-28 loss.

“They definitely have big-play potential,” Hathaway said.

So does Slippery Rock.

When Hathaway relents and does call a pass play, it has usually gone for a touchdown.

Slippery Rock quarterback Jake Whitmer threw just one pass last week against Franklin and it went for a score. Whitmer has completed 13 passes this season and eight have resulted in TDs.

“We’ve been able to pick our spots when we throw the ball,” Hathaway said.

Slippery Rock has also been able to hold on to the ball. The Rockets have committed just four turnovers this season.

That may be important this week as weather may be a factor.

“Hey, it’s a broken record. If we can not give up the big play, be disciplined on defense and hang on to the football, we’ll be OK,” Hathaway said.

Oil City is battling injuries heading into the pivotal tilt.

“We just have to get healthy,” LaVerde said. “We have five or six starters out and that caught up to us a little bit last week. That’s just where we are right now.”