GROVE CITY — The Grove City football team is headed to the District 10 semifinals for the first time since 2012.

Led by running back Trey Adams and quarterback Kameron Patterson, the Eagles soared past the Central Tech Falcons, 43-19, to set up a date with the Fort LeBoeuf Bisons on November 5 for a chance to advance to the District 10 Championship Game. The Bisons defeated Franklin 43-0 on Friday night.

“I am really proud of these kids,” Grove City head coach Sam Mowrey said. “The look on their faces was priceless.”

Mowrey, in his third season as head coach, was coaching in his first playoff game at the helm of the Eagles. Grove City won a total of just three games in his first two seasons.

Grove City's offense may have scored 43 points, but the key play of the game was turned in by the Eagles' defense.

After Adams scored his first touchdown of the game to give Grove City a 14-13 lead midway through the second quarter, the Eagles pinned the Falcons deep in their own territory after the kickoff.

After Central got one first down, they were facing a 2nd-and-15 from their own 18.

That is when running back Keyshaan Husband was stripped of the football and it was recovered by Grove City at the 11 yard line.

Two plays later, Adams scored his second of four touchdowns to give the Eagles a 21-13 lead. This sparked the defense, as it didn't allow another score until the final minute of the game.

Central Tech opened the scoring less than two minutes into the game when Husband ran 12 yards to cap off a 56-yard drive to give the Falcons the early 7-0 edge.

The Eagles answered right back as Kameron Patterson hit A.J. Turner for a 74-yard touchdown pass to tie the score, 7-7. Patterson became Grove City's all-time leader in passing yards on the play.

The Falcons marched 61 yards on their next drive to regain the lead, as it was beginning to look like a shootout was in the making. However, the Eagles defense stifled the Falcons for the rest of the game.

“There was an adjustment period at the beginning of the game,” Mowrey said. “They out-physicaled us early, but our defense stepped up and got some turnovers.”

The Eagles would force three turnovers in the game — one fumble and two interceptions.

Grove City scored on the next to last play of the first half to take a commanding 28-13 lead into the locker room.

Adams, who rushed for 131 yards in the game, scored his final two touchdowns in the second half to give the Eagles their biggest lead of the game, 43-13. Tech scored a touchdown in the final minute of the game.

“He (Adams) had a great night,” Mowrey said. “He is a physical back and he keeps getting better. You have to give credit to our offensive line also. They played a great game.”

Patterson ended the game 10-of-11 passing for 222 yards and he rushed for another 35 yards.

“He continues to do the same things he's done all season,” Mowrey said. “His decision making is great and he uses his legs when he has to.”

It doesn't get any easier for Mowrey and the Eagles.

“Fort LeBoeuf is a very physical team,” Mowrey said. “It will be interesting.”