SLIPPERY ROCK - Of the three combined turnovers Friday night, the last one for the Hickory football team will stand out the most.

Hickory running back Rashad Campbell fumbled inside the Rockets' 15-yard line with less than four minutes remaining, helping to preserve a 17-14 win for the Slippery Rock High School (3-4 overall, 3-3 in Region 3).

Hickory coach Jim Bell said he was extremely disappointed with the effort.

"We just got outcoached and outplayed," Bell said.

Campbell fumbled an option pitch from quarterback Nick Erdesky with the Hornets (3-4, 3-3) threatening to tie the game with a field goal or to take the lead with a touchdown.

"We have to be able to run the ball better," Bell said. "You can't fumble any time, but especially in the red zone."

Slippery Rock coach Clyde Conti said the forced fumble was a turning point.

"That was huge," Conti said. "That would have been hard to rebound from."

Slippery Rock couldn't get another first down to run out the clock, giving Hickory one last chance, but four straight incomplete passes from Erdesky sealed the win for the Rockets.

On first down of the final Hornet drive, the Rockets' David Bauer got his fingertips on a pass down the middle intended for Hickory wide receiver Dave Smith, breaking up what would have been a huge gain.

In addition to the big defensive play, Bauer led Slippery Rock in rushing with 150 yards on 19 carries and a touchdown.

Bauer put Slippery Rock ahead for good with a 5-yard touchdown run with 2:58 remaining in the third quarter. Bauer set up the touchdown with a 38-yard run to put the Rockets inside the Hornet 10-yard line.

Conti said the touchdown was a large confidence booster.

"I thought the response after Hickory scored was big," Conti said. "We hit them with a speed sweep."

Bauer was part of a rushing effort that combined for 256 yards on 39 carries.

The Rockets' offense controlled the ball for the first 9:13 of the game, going on a 17-play drive that ended with quarterback Ben Collins running it in from five yards out to put Slippery Rock up 7-0.

"They didn't change anything; they just rammed it down our throats," Bell said. "It was partly their execution and partly our poor play."

Hickory tied the game on the second play of its ensuing possession when Josh Peagler raced 50 yards down the left sideline with 1:49 to go in the first quarter.

After a 37-yard field goal by Craig Bicehouse in the second quarter that put Slippery Rock ahead 10-7, the Hornets took the lead for the first time in the third quarter with a 15-yard touchdown run by Smith.

Conti said the win on homecoming was special.

"I told the kids it's an honor to be on the sidelines with them," Conti said. "I couldn't be more proud than I am right now, and I've been proud all season."

Bell said the Hornets must refocus in the final two games.

"We have two games left right now, it'll be hard to recover, but we'll go on," Bell said.