SLIPPERY ROCK— When Slippery Rock High hosted Sharon Sept. 20, Rockets coach Clyde Conti said "they came in here and punched us in the mouth."

The Rockets now have a chance to do something about it, but they're probably going to face the Tigers' best punch yet.

Sharon (10-1) faces Slippery Rock (9-2) in a District 10 Class AA football semifinal at 7 p.m. Saturday at Slippery Rock University.

Bobby Fromm is 31-21 overall in five years as Sharon's coach, entering this season with one playoff win there. But the Tigers rolled over Fairview 35-7 in the first round last week.

Third-year starting quarterback Todd Rearick threw for 340 yards and five touchdowns in that game. Second-year receiver Mike Tomko had eight catches for 208 yards and three scores.

"Those guys have matured into their positions as time has gone on,"Fromm said. "Todd understands what it is we're trying to do on the field and he's responding.

"We run a spread similar to West Virginia. That's where we got this offense. It's been effective for us."

For the season, Rearick has completed 105 of 206 passes for 1,701 yards, 27 touchdowns and six interceptions. Tomko has 44 receptions for 851 yards and 13 TDs.

Tailback Kevin Brown and Rearick have rushed for about 500 yards each.

Conti said there's a lot more to Sharon than Rearick and Tomko.

"That's such a storied program,"he said. "They're athletic, yet there's a toughness that goes with it. They know they're good and they back it up."

Sharon defeated Slippery Rock 17-10 in their September matchup, shutting out the Rockets in the second half. The Tigers' lone loss this year is a 42-7 decision to Wilmington.

"Slippery Rock is a team that can put up some points,"Fromm said. "Shutting them out in the second half that night is something our defense has built upon."

Middle linebacker Nick Juranovich had three sacks last week. Tomko plays strong-side linebacker whileCameron Brown is the weak-side linebacker. Strong safety Eric King serves as the Tigers' rover.

"They've got athletes all over the field,"Conti said. "They have more talent than us, but that's what's great about the sport of football. Sometimes you can emphasize certain numbers and the less talented team winds up winning.

"We want to stay in this game for as long as we can and see what happens. That's our approach."

Slippery Rock has increased its threats on the field as the season has progressed. Quarterback Jono Powell has thrown for 1,048 yards and rushed for 1,105, accounting for 26 touchdowns.

Derrick Orloski is his favorite receiver, hauling in 38 passes for 595 yards and five TDs. Isaac Osborne has nine catches for 310 yards, Ethan Geisler five for 87, Ryan Gordon three for 116.

"We have some weapons we probably haven't used often enough,"Conti said. "We may look in that direction this week. If it works, it works. If it doesn't, it doesn't."

Justin Angerett has rushed for 547 yards and four touchdowns, Osborne 526 yards and seven TDs.

Slippery Rock is in the playoffs for the fourth time in seven years.

"It's hard enough just getting there that once you do, you want to do something,"Conti said. "These boys really committed in the preseason. This team developed great chemistry and tremendous leadership."

Fromm said Sharon's key will be stopping the Rockets' running game.

"They definitely want to run it and if they can, they kill you softly," he said. "They can just chew up yardage.

"If we can get them into second and long situations, we can be successful," Fromm added.

"I look at the teams left in Class AA,"Conti said. "General McLane and Wilmington in the other semifinal, Sharon and us.

"I'm proud to be one of the final four teams alongside programs like that. It's a tribute to our kids and how hard they've worked."