HERMITAGE — It was the DeShawn Coleman Show.

And it didn't have a happy ending or a laugh track for Slippery Rock.

In a battle between two 5-1 teams, Hickory running back Coleman rushed for 373 yards and five touchdowns as the Hornets turned a close game into a rout in the second half in a 43-14 football win over the Rockets Friday night.

The first half was very even between the two teams. Coleman started off the action with a 30-yard touchdown scamper.

But Slippery Rock quickly countered with a 1-yard touchdown plunge by Ben Gaul.

After recovering the ensuing on-side kick, Slippery Rock went three and out, which led to a 14-yard touchdown run by Coleman.

Slippery Rock's next possession was also quickly ended, but the Rockets quickly got the ball back after a botched pitch between Hickory quarterback Mike Nardone and Coleman.

Slippery Rock (5-2) recovered the fumble and quarterback Ryan Currie and company capitalized with a touchdown to tie the game at 14-14 at halftime.

But the second half was dominated by Hickory — and Coleman.

The Rockets struggled to move the football, and struggled even more in containing Coleman.

Coleman ran for three touchdowns in the third quarter, the first an 89-yard touchdown run.

On Hickory's next offensive play, Coleman took a pitch to the left, got stuck by the sidelines, then reversed the ball back to the other side of the field for an 88-yard scoring run.

Coleman's effort was only four yards shy of the Mercer County single game rushing record.

Currie rushed for 167 yards on 29 carries for Slippery Rock. Ben Gaul added 64 yards.