Someone will move the chess piece. It's just a matter of who.

As an encore to a contest that came down to the wire in October, Slippery Rock and Hickory are set to butt heads again on Saturday, this time in the District 10 Class 3A semifinals at Grove City's Forker Field.

In this matchup, the axiom that it's hard to beat a team twice in one season will be put to the test.

“(Hickory) beat us three times last year, so I'm not sure I buy into that all 100%,” Rockets' coach Larry Wendereusz said. “Hopefully, our kids realize that they've got to play the full game in order to get wins.”

Arguably, they fell just a tick short of such a complete showing when Hickory (7-3) visited on Oct. 8. The Rockets held a 10-point lead with 8:35 to go, then gave up a pair of touchdowns.

The Hornets' Logan Woods connected with Jackson Pryts before time expired, dealing the Rockets (6-1) their only defeat of the season.

“I think they've gotten better,” Wendereusz said of the Hornets. “Their quarterback is really good at getting the ball wherever he feels he's got a mismatch. They get downhill with carrying the ball when they need to.”

Through nine games, Woods has passed for 1,838 yards and 25 scoring strikes. He's completed 60 percent of his tosses. Sophomore Sean Kennedy has run for 427 yards on 80 totes.

After being upended by Sharon earlier in the campaign, the Hornets exacted revenge on the Tigers in last week's District 10 Class 3A quarterfinals. The top-seeded Rockets remained idle, having not played since Oct. 22.

“We had two Fridays where we didn't have a game,” Wendereusz said. “It gave us a chance to get healthier, which I think was good. The fear you always have, and you ask any coach, is 'How crisp are you going to be?' Not seeing live action for so long, you get a little nervous.”

It wasn't the first time this season Slippery Rock went a stretch without a game. Tilts scheduled with Titusville and Corry in September never happened because of virus issues with each opponent. Not being able to play those two games had an effect, Wendereusz said.

“You have certain things in play that you want to look at and see if you can run successfully, (and we lost) that opportunity,” he said.

Having been quarantined hours before the last run-in with Hickory, Wendereusz can't say how much that meeting will factor into this one. But for the coaches, this clash will be a match of wits.

“They're not going to do the same thing both times, will they?” Wendereusz questioned.

Starting quarterback William Mokel was banged up and missed the Rockets' last regular season game. He'll return on Saturday. Junior running back Brett Galcik will also be back. Having them, Wendereusz said, will be a nice boost.

“When you get into the playoffs, we haven't been as successful as Hickory has been,” Wendereusz said. “When you talk about trying to become a successful program, you've got to beat the successful ones to get there.

“We're enjoying the opportunity and we're hoping and looking forward to a chance to come home happy on Saturday night.”

Hickory coach Bill Dungee could not be reached for comment.

Freeport (6-4) at

Elizabeth Forward (8-2)

7 p.m., Friday

This is a WPIAL Class 3A quarterfinal playoff.

Freeport dispatched Ambridge, 34-6, last week in its first-ever playoff game at Freeport Area Stadium. ... Elizabeth Forward was on a bye.

With Ben Lane not available to play, Garrett King and Zach Clark came up big for the Yellowjackets last week. ... King started at QB and threw a touchdown to Clark. The duo combined for three rushing scores. ... Freeport has put up 33 or more points in 3 of its last 4 outings.

Elizabeth Forward dropped back-to-back games in September. Since then, they've strung together 7 straight victories, all by 4 possessions or more. ... The Warriors are 15-2 at home since 2018. ... They sent the 'Jackets packing in last year's playoff matchup, winning 34-20.

Keystone Oaks (6-5) at

North Catholic (10-0)

7 p.m., Friday

Mars Athletic Complex

This is a WPIAL Class 3A quarterfinal playoff.

Keystone Oaks extended its season with a 34-0 first-round win over South Allegheny last week. ... As champion of the Allegheny Seven Conference, North Catholic received a bye into the quarterfinals. The Trojans' last game was a 67-13 defeat of Derry in the regular-season finale Oct. 29.

The Golden Eagles have a very balanced offense. QB Nick Buckley has thrown for 1,582 yards and 11 TDs. RB Kevin Drew has rushed for 1,295 yards and has scored 17 total TDs. ... Keystone Oaks' season has largely been feast or famine. The Golden Eagles have won games by shutout over Brentwood, South Park, Ambridge and South Allegheny by a combined score of 117-0. They've also lost games to Avonworth and Central Valley by a total of 77-0.

Trojans' senior QB Joey Prentice has passed for 1,130 yards and 18 TDs while rushing for 282 yards and 7 TDs.

North Catholic has given up just 51 points all season, shutting out 6 opponents along the way.

Central Clarion (4-5) at

Karns City (9-1)

7 p.m., Friday

This is a District 9 Class 2A semifinal playoff.

Central Clarion was dominated by Clearfield, 38-7, in its regular-season finale two weeks ago. ... Karns City handled DuBois Area, 35-14, the same night.

The Wildcats bowed to the Gremlins, 37-13, on Sep. 10. The team limped out to an 0-4 start, but finished the schedule by winning 4 of its last 5. ... Freshman QB Jase Ferguson has thrown for 1,510 yards and 18 TDs. His average completion is good for over 16 yards. ... Senior Breckin Rex leads the ground game with 709 yards.

Save for a hiccup against Saint Marys, Karns City has been flawless. Since that loss at the beginning of October, the Gremlins are beating opponents by an average of over 33 points a game. ... Seniors Luke Garing and Jayce Anderson have collectively piled up over 1,600 rushing yards.

Smethport (8-2) at

Union/A-C Valley (8-2)

7 p.m., Friday

Rimersburg

This is a District 9 Class 1A semifinal playoff.

Smethport defeated Curwensville, 46-27, in a quarterfinal last week. ... Union/A-C Valley advanced with a 31-6 win over Cameron County.

Hubbers' senior QB Noah Lent has passed for 868 yards, 17 TDs and just 2 INTs this fall. He's also had a huge season on the ground, rushing for 1,553 yards and 8 TDs. ... Senior LB Travis Cooney leads the Hubbers in tackles (88) and tackles for loss (21).

Junior WR/DB Skyler Roxbury is a major deep threat in Union/A-C Valley's passing attack. He has a team-leading 20 receptions for 411 yards, an average of 41.1 yards per catch. On defense, he's intercepted 8 passes. ... Senior LB Carter Terwint leads the Falcon Knights in tackles with 59.

Smethport has knocked the Falcon Knights out of the district playoffs twice in the past 3 years, claiming victories of 28-0 in 2018 and 12-10 in 2020.

Eagle Staff Writer Derek Pyda contributed to this report