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SLIPPERY ROCK — It could be the type of game the Slippery Rock High football team has scuffled with this season.

When Oil City and its smashmouth attack comes to town for a 7 p.m. kickoff Friday, the Rockets will have to find a way to match the Oilers' physicality.

That's been the focus leading up to the regular-season finale for Slippery Rock.

“Our losses have come against physical football teams,” said Slippery Rock coach Larry Wendereusz. “We're going to look and see if we need to change some things around. We're going to look to see if we need to change or just get better at the things we do.”

Slippery Rock had a rough night against Hickory last week, particularly on the ground.

The Rockets (4-4) managed just 98 yards on 31 carries in the 42-21 loss.

Hickory crowded the box and Wendereusz expects Oil City (8-0) to do the same.

“(Oil City) runs a lot of four-man fronts, but they also bring one of their linebackers down, so it's really a five-man front,” Wendereusz said. “Hickory put a lot of guys in the box and I thought we could do some things. If I'm watching film, I'm going to try to mimic it the best I can and I imagine Oil City will, too.”

That's going to make adjustments paramount for the Rockets this week.

Slippery Rock does have an electric group of weapons if it is able to get them free.

Nathan Hyatt leads the team in rushing with 688 yards on 99 carries. He's also scored 11 touchdowns.

David Duffalo has rushed for 487 yards on just 66 attempts and is averaging 7.4 yards a pop.

Quarterback Vito Pilso has added 479 yards on the ground and 879 in the air for the Rockets.

Hyatt and Duffalo have also combined for 36 receptions in the passing game.

“Their quarterback is a really good athlete,” said Oil City coach Dan York. “He runs the ball well and throws the ball well.”

Oil City has its own weapons, namely running back Noah Petro.

The senior has rushed for 1,354 yards and 19 touchdowns this season and is averaging 8.2 yards per carry.

Junior Cam Russell has also gained more than 600 yards on the ground.

But Petro and Russell have both been battling turf toe this season.

Petro suffered his injury in the first quarter of the season-opener.

“His toe was big and swollen and (the doctor) said he could be out three weeks, five weeks or the season,” York said. “He played the next week.”

Petro has been limited in practice, but has excelled on game day.

So has Oil City. The Oilers have rushed for nearly 3,000 yards and are averaging 7.7 yards per carry as a team.

“They have a program and the guys where they can play down hill,” Wendereusz said. “They've had those guys for a while now. It all starts up front. Their line is very strong.”

Both Slippery Rock and Oil City qualified for the District 10 playoffs.

The Oilers have won a number of close games, downing Conneaut 28-24, DuBois 54-53 and Meadville 34-33.

“I'm proud of them,” York said. “It's been pretty good.

“This is a good playoff warmup for us,” York added. “We have to travel and you're going to have to travel in the playoffs. We're playing a good team and you're going to play good teams in the playoffs.”