SLIPPERY ROCK — It was Friday night, the season was still alive, and Slippery Rock High football coach Clyde Conti had no sideline to roam.

It was a very unfamiliar situation for Conti, who has coached high school football for a quarter of a century and had never had a week off during the season.

Until last week.

The Rockets (6-4) were idle, preparing for their District 10 Class AAA clash with defending state champion General McLane at 7 p.m. Friday at Edinboro University.

And Conti enjoyed it.

"It was very beneficial," Conti said. "We cut practice down. We focused more on fundamentals. To be honest, most of everything we wanted to put in against General McLane we got put in by Friday."

Slippery Rock might need all the extra time it can get to face General McLane, which beat the Rockets 56-21 earlier this season.

The Lancers also beat Slippery Rock 62-17 last season.

Not many are giving the Rockets much chance to topple the defending champs.

Conti is OK with that.

"I don't think it's ever a bad thing in life to fly under the radar," Conti said.

The only thing is General McLane coach JimWells doesn't consider the Rockets easy prey.

The Lancers are coming off a 37-14 upset loss to Titusville in the season finale. It was a defeat that stung particularly hard.

"You never want to enter the playoffs coming off a loss," Wells said. "And you never want a week off after a loss like that."

As the defending state champion, General McLane has found the sledding tough at times.

Teams gear up to play the Lancers, savoring the opportunity to knock off the defending champs.

In a way, Wells said, it has also been beneficial.

"I don't know if we have the same level of hunger as we had last year," Wells said. "Everyone we play — it's tougher. They are gunning for us. It's the nature of the beast, and that's OK. We wouldn't want it any other way."

Slippery Rock's offense has evolved since the first meeting between these two teams last season. The Rockets have shifted to more of an option-oriented offense.

Junior quarterback Jonathan Powell has had a lot to do with that change. He has rushed for 635 yards and nine touchdowns and has also thrown for 1,008 yards.

"Their quarterback is a real tough kid," Wells said. "I just know they are a very good football team. They are very aggressive on defense and they do a lot on offense."

Senior receiver Zack Ejzak gives Wells particular cause for concern.

"Ejzak is a heck of an athlete," Wells said. "I think they do a real nice job at what they do."

Like Slippery Rock, General McLane has had to overcome some injury problems.

Ryan Skelton has missed some time, but he still rushed for 588 yards and 11 touchdowns.

The true catalyst to the Lancers' offense, however, is quarterback Kellen O'Neill. The junior has rushed for 930 yards and 11 scores and has passed for 666 yards and five more touchdowns.

O'Neill is completing 60 percent of his passes.

The last time the two teams played, the Rockets got as close as 35-21 in the fourth quarter before General McLane ran away with the game.

Tackling in space was the problem during McLane's 21-point scoring spree. And tackling will be paramount for Slippery Rock in this game as well.

"We can't let a 6-yard gain turn into six points," Conti said.

Slippery Rock will make its first playoff appearance in four seasons. This will be the first taste of postseason play for every member of the Rockets' roster.

"We're not just happy to be here," Conti said. "Saying that is an untruth. We're here to win a championship."