GROVE CITY — The last time the Grove City High School football team was in the playoffs, it made a run all the way to Hershey.

The Eagles would like nothing better than to satisfy their sweet tooth again by making another run to the chocolate city and the state title game.

But Grove City must get past Seneca when it takes on the Bobcats at 1 p.m. Saturday at Wilmington HighSchool in the District 10 Class AA quarterfinals.

"It's been a similar kind of year," said Grove City coach Jeff Bell. "We definitely brought it up."

In 2004, the Eagles lost their first two games before reeling off 11 in a row to get to the state title game before falling toLansdale Catholic.

This year, Grove City's fortunes have been more up and down, but mostly up lately.

A month ago, the Eagles were sitting at 3-3 and at a crossroads.

A month later, following three straight dominating wins over Sharon, Northwestern and Greenville, and the Eagles are soaring heading into the playoffs.

"The last three games, we've improved each week," Bell said. "We've been able to score some points, and we're definitely heading in the right direction."

Grove City (6-3) features a potent running game, which is led by junior fullbackChris Clark and sophomore wingback Dwayne Martin.

Clark has rushed for 978 yards and 11 touchdowns, and Martin has 555 yards and nine scores on only 78 carries.

Clark has gained 400 yards and scored six TDs in his last three games.

Grove City also has developed a passing game in recent weeks with Justin Haugh at the helm.

Haugh has thrown for only 516 yards, but he has completed 54 percent of his passes.

"We've been working on it," Bell said. "It's gotten better as the season has gone along. Against good teams in the playoffs, you have to be able to throw the ball."

Seneca (7-3) has a very similar offense to Grove City's, but it relies more on one back.

That back is Shane Cyphert, who has rushed for nearly 1,000 yards and also is the Bobcats' leading receiver.

Grove City didn't play last week, while Seneca played in a snow storm againstEisenhower and won, 22-8.

Bell scouted that game, and he said he was amazed at how well Seneca played in the conditions.

"I've never seen a football game played with that much snow on the ground," Bell said. "There was close to a foot of snow. When the kids got in their stance, the snow was up to their elbows.

"But they played tough the whole game. They impressed me"

Bell said the week off did his team a lot of good.

Last week, the Eagles focused on fundamentals and put in a few wrinkles on offense.

This week, Grove City focused on game preparation.

The Eagles, though, will be without two of their better defensive players in linebacker Nick Delligatti and nose tackle Caleb Broerman, who both suffered serious knee injures earlier in the season.

"It's a credit to the kids and the coaches to do what we have done without those kids," Bell said.

Grove City and Seneca had two common opponents this season.

Seneca beat Fairview 26-12 in Week 3 and came from behind to beatCorry 27-25 the following game.

Grove City lost to Fairview (26-13) and Corry (12-0).

But those losses came earlier in the season.

"It's going to be a good game," Bell said. "Hey, we'll see what happens."

Seneca coach Randy Gunther could not be reached for comment.