SLIPPERY ROCK — Following a 14-7 loss to Slippery Rock Sept. 26, things began to quickly unravel for the Hickory football team.

The next week, the Hornets lost to Greenville, 13-10, to plummet two games plus a tiebreaker behind the Rockets in the District 10 Region 3-AA standings.

A league title was out of the question.

Then several starters were suspended for an off-the-field incident, forcing sophomores and freshmen into the starting lineup against Wilmington.

How would the Hornets respond?

“The team came together,” said Hickory coach Bill Brest. “They became closer and closer. The entire football family, fans and the community of Hermitage came closer together.”

And Hickory beat the Greyhounds, 41-0.

That launched the Hornets on their current four-game winning streak and a rematch with Slippery Rock in the District 10 Class AA semifinals at 7 p.m. Saturday at Slippery Rock University.

Turnovers were the story in the first meeting. Slippery Rock forced four of them from the Hornets.

Rockets’ cornerback Brady Kadlubek intercepted a pass in the end zone. Safety Jake Whitmer picked off another throw in the red zone.

“First of all, big games come down to who takes care of the football,” Brest said. “It also comes down to who wins the field position battle and who wins the line of scrimmage. We didn’t take care of the football and I don’t think we won the line of scrimmage (in the first meeting this season).”

Slippery Rock has won a lot of battles up front with a stout line that includes seniors Camren Neal and Colten Raabe.

Cody Lawniczak, Blake Heller and Shane Slater have also galvanized the offensive line.

They have been the fuel that has carried the Rockets to an 11-0 record this season, their first in Class AA after spending the past four seasons in Class AAA.

Brest said, despite Hickory being the three-time defending District 10 Class AA champion, Slippery Rock was the favorite to win the district this season.

“We obviously know Slippery Rock is an outstanding football team,” Brest said. “They’re the big kids coming down from triple-A. We knew Slippery Rock and Greenville were going to be the teams, along with Sharon as well. We know going in we’re going to be the underdog and we relish that role.”

Hickory is led by a trio of playmakers on offense with sophomore running back Chuck Carr topping that list.

Carr has rushed for 1,030 yards and 16 touchdowns this season.

Junior wide receiver Andrew Pryts is also dangerous, with 34 receptions for 413 yards and eight touchdowns. He’s also rushed for 372 yards.

And freshman quarterback Luke Brennan has been a mid-season find, throwing for 363 yards, seven touchdowns and just one interception while completing 68 percent of his passes.

“Hickory always seems to have dangerous weapons on offense,” said Slippery Rock coach Brendan Hathaway. “Now they have Carr and Pryts and that freshman quarterback is a very good player. But we can’t let Carr get loose on us.

“Hickory will run it on you if you let them,” Hathaway added.

Slippery Rock is also flush with weapons, led by Whitmer at quarterback.

Whitmer, a senior, has run Slippery Rock’s triple-option offense going all the way back to the eighth grade.

The Rockets like to get everyone involved on offense with as many as seven different players getting a rushing attempt before halftime.

Whitmer leads the team in rushing, but Travis Lauster, Ryan Lauster, Jared McDowell, Trent Porter, Brandon McKnight and Ken Anderson have all had big games and key contributions in the running game throughout the season.

Whitmer is looking forward to seeing how this test will unfold.

“Hickory is a great team,” Whitmer said. “We know they will be prepared. We’ll be prepared, too. It’s going to be a fun night.”