SLIPPERY ROCK - During the hot and steamy two-a-day drills in August, Grove City High School football coach Jeff Bell had his players run sprints.

When they got to the 14th rep, Bell offered up some motivation.

"Here we are. Game 14. Better run this hard for Hershey," Bell said.

Now, after a 28-12 win Friday over Brookville in a PIAA Class AA quarterfinal on a frigid late November evening at Slippery Rock University's N. Kerr Thompson Stadium, the Eagles are one game away from Hersheypark Stadium and a chance at a state championship.

But it wasn't easy. A 21-0 halftime lead turned into a much more precarious 21-12 advantage early in the fourth quarter.

"Things started to unwind," Bell said. "But I tell you what, early in the season, I think the whole thing would have unraveled."

It didn't.

Jack Vallely, who gained 115 yards on 17 carries, plowed through the Brookville defense on six straight carries after the Raiders made things close. He gained 41 yards on those attempts and then threw a block that sprung Dan Sonntag for a 25-yard touchdown run that sealed the win.

"I told him, 'Jack, you have to put it on your back, buddy,'" Bell said. "We need one more drive."

Vallely gave him one. Bell was happy to see it.

"These kids have been through it enough now they believe in each other, and they were able to rally back and put a drive together and finish this thing off," Bell said.

It looked like Brookville (6-7) was finished in the first half.

Eagles quarterback Jim Jaskowak hit Jesse Alfreno streaking down the left sideline for a 63-yard touchdown strike on the last play of the first quarter.

Just two minutes later, Jaskowak burst off the right side and galloped into the end zone on a 36-yard run for a two-touchdown lead.

Sonntag, who had three carries for 40 yards, made it a three-touchdown lead late in the second quarter with a 15-yard run.

Brookville, though, is used to being counted out. At 3-6, the Raiders decided to enter the playoffs anyway and reeled off three straight wins to get to the quarterfinal.

"It was like a roller coaster ride this season," said Brookville coach Chris Dworek, who played the first half of the season with seven players suspended. "These guys never gave up and these guys will be remembered."

So will the guys in the Grove City locker room.

The Eagles (10-2) lost their first two games of the season, but have won 10 straight.

"Reel off 10 wins? It's a great feeling," Jaskowak said. "I guarantee we've left our mark on Grove City football."

No Grove City team has won 10 games in a season before this one. And no Grove City team has maneuvered its way through a season to get this far and this close to a chance at a state title.

"We have a great group of kids," Bell said. "I don't know if I'll ever have a collection of kids like this again."

It almost withered away, however.

Brookville quarterback Nick Heschke hit receiver Matt Mohney with a 5-yard touchdown pass before the Raiders took advantage of a botched snap on a punt to set up a two-play, 16-yard drive, capped by a 1-yard scoring run by Silas Wonderling.

Then Vallely took over and ended any hope of a miraculous comeback.

"We scored a couple and put some pressure on them," Dworek said, "But they answered the bell, they answered the punches pretty well."

Grove City now has a date with Tyrone, which upset Seton LaSalle 28-7 Friday night, in the Western Final next week at a date and time to be determined.

Bell is just happy to still be watching film and conducting practices.

"I can't believe it," Bell said. "I thought we had a shot to win a district title, but to get to the final four in the state? That's unreal.

"I can't wait until next week to see what they are going to do."

Brookville 0 0 0 12-12

Grove City 7 14 0 7-28

First Quarter

GC - Jesse Alfreno 63 pass from Jim Jaskowak (Andy Hay kick), :00

Second Quarter

GC - Jaskowak 36 run (Hay kick), 9:53

GC - Dan Sonntag 15 run (Hay kick), 2:41

Fourth Quarter

B - Matt Mohney 5 pass from Nick Heschke (kick failed), 11:51

B - Silas Wonderling 1 run (pass failed), 8:52

GC - Sonntag 25 run (Hay kick), 5:15

Individual Statistics

Passing

: Brookville, Nick Heschke 9-22-101-2. Grove City, Jim Jaskowak 6-8-126-0

Rushing

: Brookville, Nick Heschke 9-30, Silas Wonderling 7-29, Max Kutz 13-25, Levi Singleton 1-(-3). Grove City, Jack Vallely 17-115, Dan Sonntag 3-40, Jim Jaskowak 7-40, Beau Fisher 1-14, Jesse Alfreno 7-36, Dan Wise 6-8, Mike Morley 1-2, Keenan Kimes 1-0, Team 1-(-25)

Receiving

: Brookville, Allen Bowen 3-50, Matt Mohney 3-40, Kris Smith 1-9, Max Kutz 1-3, Silas Wonderling 1-(-1). Grove City, Jesse Alfreno 3-68, Adam Rudolph 1-44, Jack Vallely 1-8, Dan Sonntag 1-6.