Oilers drill Rockets
SLIPPERY ROCK — All flights coming out of Slippery Rock were canceled by Oil City Friday night.
The Oilers held the Rockets to 141 yards of total offense, not allowing Slippery Rock High even a lone passing yard in a 33-14 football victory.
Oil City coach Matt LaVerde said his team expected the Rockets to run the option and try to set up the play-action pass.
"We did a nice job against the option," LaVerde said. "There was one time early in the game where Slippery Rock got a receiver behind us and the ball was underthrown. But other than that, we did a good job in coverage."
Slippery Rock quarterback Ayron Gallagher finished 0-for-5 through the air.
The Oilers' offensive attack was led by a three-headed monster at running back. Cody Johnson, Sam Heasely and Logan Carson rushed for 217 of the team's 234 yards.
"We have three good running backs that really work hard," LaVerde said. "Our line did a great job tonight opening up holes. At one point, we had an 18-play drive in the third quarter."
The Oilers' attack also got a boost from quarterback Mark Kulinski, who started slowly but had a strong second half. After throwing for 62 yards in the first half, Kulinski completed five of six passes for 109 yards and a score in the third quarter.
Kulinski finished with 191 yards, 108 to receiver Dallas Williams.
Slippery Rock coach Glenn Hazlet said the team needs to continue to work hard.
"We need to improve everything," Hazlet said. "We just have to keep working."
The bright spot for the Rockets was the performance turned in by Justin Angerett, who had 106 yards rushing on 10 carries. His 64-yard run set up the Rockets' second touchdown.
"We started with good momentum," Angerett said. "I know we're better than how we played tonight. We're not together as a unit yet."
Slippery Rock jumped out to an early lead after Gallagher intercepted the ball and returned it 58 yards to the Oilers' 9-yard line. Two plays later, Brandon Henry scored the first of his two touchdowns on a 4-yard run.
The Oilers answered on the next possession as they capped a 12-play, 65-yard drive with a Carson touchdown. Oil City ran off 19 unanswered points, ending with a 24-yard pass from Kulinski to tight end Ben Koyack.
The Rockets cut the lead to 26-14 on a 9-yard run by Henry.
Heasley capped the scoring for Oil City with a 23-yard touchdown run, his second of the night, with 3:28 remaining.
"We knew Oil City was a good team," Hazlet said. "They just had more weapons than we did. I'm still proud of these kids."
