SLIPPERY ROCK — In early August, Slippery Rock High football coach Clyde Conti and his sons Chad and Chase took a trip to New York and Buffalo Bills training camp.

On their way home, they stopped just outside North East, near Erie. That's when coachConti had a spell of clairvoyance.

"I started to think, 'You know what? We're going to play them,'" Conti said.

Now in early November, Conti's prediction is coming true. The Rockets will play the Grapepickers at 7 p.m. Saturday at Erie Veterans Stadium in the first round of the District 10 Class AA playoffs.

On paper, the teams appear headed in different directions. North East hasn't lost in nine weeks; Slippery Rock hasn't won in two weeks, suffering back-to-back losses to Wilmington and Greenville to close the regular season.

Conti, though, doesn't see that as a bad omen.

"We lost to two really good football teams," Conti said. "Victory is never final. There's always another game, win or lose."

Only this time, a loss means the next game is next season, not next week.

TheRockets (7-3) understand the urgency.

"You grow very attached to people you have," Conti said. "Everything flashes by real fast. They realize now that every game could be their last time together."

North East (9-1) understands the urgency, too. Since a season-opening loss to Greenville, the Grapepickers have been finding ways to win. That next-play, next-game philosophy that Conti has employed this season is being shared by his counterpart in North East.

"We try not to look beyond each week," said Grapepickers coach Mark Shesman. "We don't like to look back, either."

North East's run began with a big win inWeek 2 againstGeneral McLane.

The Grapepickers were shellshocked after a 12-10 loss to Greenville and were in danger of starting 0-2 with a tough game against General McLane.

But North East toppled McLane, 27-14.

"That certainly gave us confidence," Shesman said.

North East's offense centers around running back Jeff Carniewski, who has had a turbulent year. A week before camp started, the senior had his appendix removed.

When he finally rounded into playing shape at midseason, he sprained his ankle and missed two more weeks.

Still, Carniewski has managed to rush for 1,165 yards and 16 touchdowns despite the late start and gimpy ankle.

"It's funny to say this in November, but he's just now starting to get into shape," Shesman said.

The coach isn't afraid to use him; Carniewski has carried the ball 204 times and is averaging more than 25 carries a game.

He can take the punishment, Shesman said.

"He's powerful," the coach said. "He weighs only 187 pounds, but he can bench press 285 and he squats 350. He has good vision, he has good hands and he has some speed. He's worked extremely hard to get back."

Despite the reliance on Carniewski, North East is by no means one dimensional.

Quarterback Curtis Bailey has passed for 1,168 yards and 13 touchdowns.

"He's a good kid and he has set several North East passing records," Shesman said.

As impressed as Shesman is with his QB, he's equally impressed withSlippery Rock's.

The Rockets' Jono Powell has rushed 1,025 yards and 18 touchdowns The senior, who has battled a shoulder injury that is finally close to 100 percent, also has passed for 931 yards and seven TDs.

"I've had an opportunity to see him twice in person and he is even more impressive live than on film," Shesman said. "He's a great athlete. I can see why coachConti centers his offense around him."