NEW WILMINGTON — Terry Verrelli's response was terse when asked what he and his Wilmington football team hoped to get out of a non-league, 10th game, against Slippery Rock at home Friday night.

“Nothing,” the long-time Greyhounds coach said.

That's because Wilmington (5-3) has endured a slew of injuries the last three weeks, two of them lopsided losses to Hickory, 41-0, and Sharpsville, 40-0, last week.

In fact, Verrelli said few, if any, varsity players would see the field against the Rockets to prevent further injuries to starters and back-ups with a District 10 Class A playoff game looming next week.

“This is more injuries than I've had in a long time,” Verrelli said. “Even the players I have are half injured. I plan to play the JVs the entire second half and maybe part of the first half.”

Wilmington couldn't find an opponent in Week 3 and has played only three home games this season.

Friday's game against Slippery Rock will be the fourth and will also be Senior Night.

That left no chance for Verrelli and Wilmington to even entertain the notion of canceling the game.

“I'd cancel it in a second if I could,” Verrelli said.

“This game has no value,” he added. “I'm just being honest with you. Slippery Rock is a great football team and I can't win a playoff game next week if I play my guys. I have one quarterback now. That's just where we're at.”

Slippery Rock (9-0) is looking at this game as a chance to stay sharp for its playoff game next week.

“This is the time of the year when you have to stay sharp,” said Slippery Rock coach Brendan Hathaway. “You can't afford to take a step back.”

Slippery Rock turned in one of its most dominant performances of the year in a 55-6 rout of Corry.

The Rockets got off to a 48-0 lead at the half and rushed for 461 yards and just 29 attempts.

Trenton Porter had 156 yards on just five carries. Porter was just one of many backs this season to have explosive games.

“That's what we preach,” Hathaway said. “Whoever plays, whether you get 10 carries or two carries, you make the most of your opportunities. Our guys are very unselfish.”

Hathaway said that was exemplified by the play of senior Blake Heller.

A tight end last season, Heller moved to guard this season and has meshed with a line that has opened holes for all those backs.

Heller is also a standout at linebacker for Slippery Rock.

“Blake Heller, on both sides of the ball, plays so hard and he prepares so well,” Hathaway said. “On most teams, he'd be a tight end and dangerous weapon, but we need him to do what he's been doing. He always does what we ask him to do.”

Heller's athleticism at guard has been a boon to the Rockets' offense.

“He's faster than some of our backs,” Hathaway said. “It's really nice to have an athlete like that on the offensive line.”

Northgate (4-5) at Grove City (1-8)

7 p.m., Today

Last week: Northgate was downed by Avonworth, 24-7, while Grove City picked up a 55-21 win over Warren.

Numbers: Grove City snapped a 10-game losing streak last week. ... Senior RB Jared Graham came up big for the Eagles with 131 yards receiving. He also scored four TDs, one coming on a 95-yard INT return. ... Eagles' QB Kameron Patterson has thrown for 1,529 yards and 19 TDs this season. He is completing 53 percent of his passes. ... Senior Tanner Lucido rushed for 110 yards in the win over Warren.

Notes: Northgate coach T.J. Wiley is in the first year of his second stint with the Flames. He left Northgate after the 2012 season and spent last year as the coach at Deer Lakes before returning.

Moniteau (5-4) at Union (4-5)

7 p.m., Friday

Last week: Moniteau lost to St. Marys 35-6; Union beat Clarion-Limestone 42-6.

Numbers: The Warriors have lost four of their last five after starting the season 3-0. ... Moniteau's Josh McBride leads Butler County in rushing with 1,148 yards. Cody Skiver is second on the team with 222 yards. ... Union needs to win this game and get help to make the playoffs. The Golden Knights have won two straight since losing 47-12 to Clarion. ... Lane Cicciarelli has thrown for 1,711 yards and 16 touchdowns. ... Union wide receiver Cole Morris has 803 yards receiving on the season, breaking the record of 706 set by Shane Murphy last season.

Notes: Union leads the all-time series 31-22. The Warriors won last year's game 34-20.

A-C Valley (0-9)

at Cochranton (5-3)

7 p.m., Friday

Last Week: Keystone beat A-C Valley 49-0; Cochranton outlasted Eisenhower 36-28.

Numbers: Cardinals' senior QB Jim Groover has passed for 820 yards, 9 TDs and 4 INTs. He also leads the team in rushing with 647 yards and eight scores. He's even caught two passes for 47 yards.

Notes: A-C Valley is trying to avoid back-to-back winless seasons for the first time since 2008-09. Cochranton has qualified for the District 10 Class A playoffs.