GROVE CITY — A fourth-quarter comeback was not in the cards for the Slippery Rock High School football team.

The Rockets (2-3, 0-2) lost 31-16 to Grove City (5-0, 1-0) on Friday night at Forker Field after nearly rallying from 24-0 down in the fourth quarter.

“At times we showed spurts and at times we didn't,” said Slippery Rock coach Larry Wendereusz. “Against good teams, you can't be here and there. You've got to be on all game. We needed to do a little more.”

Slippery Rock had gone seven consecutive quarters without scoring before scoring two touchdowns and two 2-point conversions in the fourth to cut the Eagles' lead to 24-16.

An interception after that stunted the Rockets' momentum.

Grove City launched a 12-play drive and scored the game-clinching touchdown.

“We had a chance to get off the field, and they just did a nice job moving down the field,” Wendereusz said.

Grove City coach Sam Mowrey said the burst from Slippery Rock was a testament to the Rockets' grit.

“The coaches on the headset said this isn't over yet, and that's all credit to Slippery Rock and their kids and their coaches,” Mowrey said. “They're not going to quit. They have some tough kids over there.”

Mowrey said Slippery Rock offered his team a challenge, and his players answered.

“I'm proud of our kids for finishing, keeping their composure and not letting the moment get too big for them.”

Slippery Rock committed five turnovers, including four interceptions and one fumble on a punt return.

“I said pregame to someone, 'If we don't turn the ball over we have a chance to win the game,'” Wendereusz said. “You turn the ball over, you're going to lose. We did it tonight.”

Grove City running back Colby Nelson found good yardage with runs up the middle, or by bouncing outside when holes were filled. Nelson finished with 127 yards on 23 carries.

“Early in the game, and most of the game, I felt we did well with inside runs, and every once in a while one would burst,” Wendereusz said. “So we've got to take a look at film there and find out where it happened and why it happened.”

Wendereusz said his team's defense didn't give up too many big plays, and he credited Grove City on their tactical approach on offense.

“Tonight they were just very methodical with the way they moved down the field,” he said. “That beat us tonight.”

He said losing Friday's game gives the Rockets a tough playoff path as they move forward.

“We've got work to do, so we're going to try to do that and try to get the next two,” Wendereusz said. “We've got to find a way to get two wins.”

Slippery Rock 0 0 0 16 — 16

Grove City 0 10 7 14 — 31

Second Quarter

GC — John Hake 28 field goal, 10:11

GC — Jacob Reddick 6 pass from Logan Breese (Hake kick), :27

Third Quarter

GC — Colby Nelson 9 run (Hake kick), 4:08

Fourth Quarter

GC — Curtis Hovis 4 run (Hake kick), 11:55

SR — John Sabo 2 pass from Vito Pilosi (Pilosi run), 9:13

SR — Pilosi 10 run (Nathan Hyatt run), 7:03

GC — Nelson 4 pass from Breese (Hake kick), 1:29

Individual Statistics

Rushing:Slippery Rock, David Duffalo 8-58, Nathan Hyatt 15-54, Vito Pilosi 9-32. Grove City, Colby Nelson 23-127, Curtis Hovis 13-64, Logan Breese 9-31

Passing:Slippery Rock, Vito Pilosi 8-17-94-1. Grove City, Logan Breese 9-18-124-1.

Receiving:Slippery Rock, David Duffalo 3-33, Brendan Earl 1-30, Nathan Hyatt 1-16, Ethan Plesakov 1-3, John Sabo 1-2. Grove City, Jacob Reddick 6-96, Anthony Pereira 1-25, Sayyid Muhammed 1-8, Colby Nelson 1-5