ERIE — Don't look now, but the Slippery Rock High School football team is finding its identity.

And sneaking it's into the playoff race.

Craig Bicehouse booted a 27-yard field goal with four minutes remaining in the game and Adam Brydon secured the win with an interception with one minute left to lead the Rockets to a 24-21 win over Erie Central at Veterans Stadium Thursday night.

"Our kids had to play very, very well to beat this team," said Slippery Rock coach Clyde Conti. "It was important for our kids to get this one."

Jesse Kniess had a big game for Slippery Rock (3-6), rushing for 91 yards and scoring on touchdown runs of 2 and 6 yards.

His second score gave SlipperyRock a 14-7 lead in the second quarter.

But Central (2-7) stormed back and took a 21-14 lead on the first play of the second half when Deonte Flemmings took a reverse handoff and ran 68 yards for a score.

Flemings also caught a 70- yard touchdown pass in the game.

SlipperyRock tied the score on a 5-yard run by Jonathan Powell.

The sophomore quarterback had another big game, rushing for 73 yards and completing the only two passes he attempted for 52 yards toVince Papley.

Derrick Orloski had an interception for Slippery Rock, his third straight game with a pick.

The Rockets have kept their slim playoff hopes alive by winning three of their last four games.

"We're playing well right now," Conti said. "We have an identity now."

Slippery Rock 24, Central 21

Slippery Rock 7 7 7 3—24Erie Central 7 6 8 0—21SR EC12 First Downs 750-217 Rushes-Yards 29-19056 Passing Yards 892-2-0 Passes (Comp.-Att.-Int.) 3-10-2273 Total Yards 2792-0 Fumbles/Lost 3-15-30 Penalties-Yards 16-165

First QuarterSR — Jesse Kniess 2 run (Craig Bicehouse kick)C — Brandon Dunn 7 run (James Nosant kick)

Second QuarterSR — Kniess 6 run (Bicehouse kick)C — Deonte Flemmings 70 pass from Terry Carson (kick failed)

Third QuarterC — Flemings 68 run (Hemphill run)SR — Jonathan Powell 5 run (Bicehouse kick)

Fourth QuarterSR — Bicehouse 27 field goal

Individual Statistics

Passing: Slippery Rock, Jonathan Powell 2-2-56-0. Erie Central, Sellers 2-7-19-1, Carson 1-3-70-1

Rushing: Slippery Rock, Jesse Kniess 22-91, JonathanPowell 16-73, Ryan Ferguson 8-43, Chase Conti 3-6, Andrew Novak 1-4. Erie Central, Brandon Dunn 7-26, Brian Hill 4-4, Deonte Flemmings 4-93, Joyston Stevenson 4-40, Hemphill 6-15, BrandonSellers 2-10, Kyle Protho 1-13

Receiving: Slippery Rock, Vince Papley 2-56. Erie Central, Bruce Stagg 1-1, Joyston Stevenson 1-18, Deonte Flemmings 1-70