Slippery Rock High's football team is in the midst of a role reversal.

In last week's District 10 Class 3A semifinal playoff against Hickory, the Rockets were the team looking to avenge a loss from the regular season. They succeeded in doing so, with Andrew Massella's late interception sealing a 23-17 victory over the Hornets.

Slippery Rock will face archrival Grove City for the district title at 1 p.m. Saturday at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.

The Rockets handily defeated the Eagles, 34-7, at Troy-Alan Stadium Sept. 17.

Grove City (9-2) has not tasted defeat since, beating seven straight opponents by an average of 26 points.

“For us, it's an easy transition to make (from seeking revenge to facing an opponent looking to do the same) because Grove City has been playing really, really well,” said Slippery Rock coach Larry Wendereusz. “They beat up on their last two opponents, including a strong Fort LeBoeuf team last week.

“Since losing to us, they've been playing downhill football.”

Eagles' coach Sam Mowrey downplayed his team hoping to avenge the earlier defeat.

“We don't want to be motivated by revenge,” he said. “We want to be motivated by the team vision that we put out there. We're working toward putting the best effort we possibly can into Saturday's game.

“That loss to Slippery Rock helped us grow as a team more than any win we've had this year.”

Both teams are dealing with injuries to key contributors. Slippery Rock running back/linebacker Brett Galcik returned from injury last week, but left after a few series. The junior has totaled nearly 300 yards from scrimmage and scored three touchdowns this season while starring on defense.

“If he does play (Saturday), it will be strictly on defense,” said Wendereusz.

Grove City running back Curtis Hovis, who has netted 1,044 rushing yards and scored 11 touchdowns, has been nursing injuries to both ankles. He carried the ball just once in last week's win.

Sophomore quarterback Hunter Hohman, however, turned in a superb effort in leading the Eagles to the championship game. He rushed for 164 yards and two touchdowns while passing for 181 yards and three scores in the 35-21 win against Fort LeBoeuf.

“He's starting as a sophomore and it was his hard work in the offseason that put him in position to accomplish that,” Mowrey said. “He's done a tremendous job and has gotten better every week.”

Hohman was limited to just 18 yards rushing by Slippery Rock's defense in September, though the Rockets held a 21-0 lead early in the second quarter and the Eagles focused mainly on their passing game to try and get back into the game.

“With Hovis out, (Hohman) is the centerpiece of their running game,” Wendereusz said.

Anthony Nemec is tied with Hovis for Grove City's team lead in rushing touchdowns with 11.

Gavin Lutz leads GC in receptions (51) and receiving yards (523) while Joey Hathaway and Anthony Pereira have both snagged six touchdown passes.

As stiff of a test as the Eagles' offense presents, Wendereusz sees the defense as just as big a challenge. The unit allowed less than three yards per carry in a 20-7 win over Hickory a month ago.

Slippery Rock allowed the Hornets a combined 401 yards on the ground in two games this season.

“Grove City's defense is fast, really fast,” Wendereusz said. “That ball is snapped and they just go!

“If they make a mistake, they do it at a hundred miles an hour.”

Slippery Rock (7-1) is coming off a 175-yard rushing effort, due mostly to the return of senior Shane Thompson. He was injured in the first game against Grove City and made an impressive return against Hickory, rushing for 154 yards while returning a kickoff 90 yards for a score.

Despite missing four games, Thompson leads the Rockets in rushing with 312 yards and is averaging nearly nine yards per carry.

Junior quarterback William Mokel had missed two straight games with injury before passing for 85 yards and a touchdown and rushing for a 5-yard score in the semifinal, his fifth rushing touchdown this season.

“He has the ability to run and that makes him tough to defend,” said Wendereusz. “When he breaks the pocket, defenses have to decide, do they come and get him or sit back and play against the pass.”

Receiver John Sabo has caught 27 passes for 514 yards and nine scores.

Slippery Rock's offensive line includes Braiden Reich at center, Jacob Humes and Isaac Bell at guard and Brody Galcik and Tony Pilosi at tackle.

“When it's time to be physical, they show up and play,” said Wendereusz.