SLIPPERY ROCK — What started as an uphill climb because of inexperience has turned into a war of attrition due to injuries for Slippery Rock High’s football team.

The Rockets, minus 10 starters, faced Hickory on Friday and were dealt a 56-0 defeat in their final home game of the season.

“One of my assistants pointed out to me before the game that we have just one starting skill guy on offense still playing. That’s Doug Popovec, who is usually a wide receiver, but played quarterback tonight,” Slippery Rock head coach Larry Wendereusz said.

Popovec has been forced into that role because of a season-ending injury suffered two weeks ago by Fred Campagna.

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Also out are the team’s leading receiver, Cooper Glass, and leading rusher Owen Long, among others.

“Beginning with the Grove City game (in mid-September), it’s been injuries non-stop,” Wendereusz said.

One healthy player is junior Jacob Reich, who starts on the offensive and defensive line.

“I’ve tried my best to help keep everyone’s head up,” he said. “We need to get the most out of the guys who are playing.”

Slippery Rock totaled 101 yards of offense, most of which came on a drive in the fourth quarter that ended deep in Hickory territory.

“We watched film to see what Hickory was doing defensively and tried to plan our offense around that, but it’s tough when you have so many guys out,” Wendereusz said. “With so many young players out there for us, this was like an early practice for next year.”

Slippery Rock (2-7, 1-4 region) defeated Franklin and Conneaut for its two victories. The Rockets will attempt to win for the third time this season when they travel to Mercer to close the campaign next Friday.

“All you can control is your attitude and effort,” Wendereusz said. “Our kids are doing their best.”

Hickory quarterback Zander Telesz passed for 395 yards and seven touchdowns, but most of his production came when his teammates turned short forward pitches into long gains.

The Hornets improved to 8-1, 4-1 in region play.

Hickory 42 7 7 0 — 56

Slippery Rock 0 0 0 0 — 0

First Quarter

H — Jadon Phillips 35 pass from Zander Telesz (Logan Standford kick), 11:37

H — Kelvin Morrison 45 pass from Telesz (Standford kick), 9:52

H — Jamal Calhoun 75 run (Standford kick), 7:14

H — Morrison 18 pass from Telesz (Standford kick), 5:13

H — Morrison 45 pass from Telesz (Standford kick), 2:21

H — Phillips 11 pass from Telesz (Standford kick), :05

Second Quarter

H — Trevor Borowicz 12 pass from Telesz (Standford kick), 1:12

Third Quarter

H — Khalil Houston 42 pass from Telesz (Standford kick), 2:34

Individual Statistics

Rushing: Hickory, Jamal Calhoun 3-116, Zander Telesz 1-5, Michael Reardon 2-12. Slippery Rock, Peyton Reich 11-9, Kaine Humphrey 14-27, Doug Popovec 7-10.

Passing: Hickory, Zander Telesz 20-25-395-0. Slippery Rock, Doug Popovec 4-13-55-1.

Receiving: Hickory, Jadon Phillips 7-112, Kelvin Morrison 3-108, Sebastian Bromley 5-50, Trevor Borowicz 3-78, Khalil Houston 2-47. Slippery Rock, Cole Pearson 1-3, Peyton Reich 1-13, Sawyer Allen 2-39.