Second Shot
The same hardware is at stake ... against the same opponent at the same venue.
A lot will seem familiar to Slippery Rock High School’s football team from its meeting with Grove City one year ago. The one thing the Rockets aim to change is the outcome.
Grove City defeated Slippery Rock, 28-20, for the District 10 Class 3A title in 2021. The game was played at Slippery Rock University’s Mihalik-Thompson Stadium, which will host the teams as they once again vie for district bragging rights and a berth into the state playoffs Friday with a 7 p.m. kickoff.
“I know there’s a lot of respect between the two programs and it’s exciting to be playing them for the district championship for the second straight year,” said Grove City coach Sam Mowrey, “but we need to maintain our focus on things we can control.”
Unlike last year when the Eagles avenged a regular-season loss to the Rockets, it’s now Slippery Rock attempting to reverse it fortunes after dropping a 22-21 decision to Grove City in late September. Trailing 21-14 late in the game, Grove City scored a touchdown with just 18 seconds left, then converted a two-point conversion on a swinging gate play.
“Any time you lose, it’s a bitter feeling, even more so when it comes against a rival,” said Slippery Rock coach Larry Wendereusz. “In our (team) huddle after that loss, I told our guys that I expect to see them (Eagles) again.”
Slippery Rock (7-4) and Grove City (8-3) enter the final after very different semifinal encounters. While the Rockets manhandled Hickory, 28-0, the Eagles were on the short end of a 21-7 score against Sharon before scoring two late touchdowns and a two-point conversion to win 22-21.
“Our wins this season against Slippery Rock and Sharon, is speaks to our kids’ ability to keep scratching and clawing,” Mowrey said. “Whether we end up winning or losing, they leave it all on the field.”
Junior quarterback Hunter Hohman is the heart of Grove City’s offense, passing for 1,740 yards with 17 touchdowns and 12 interceptions this year. He’s also rushed for 490 yards and 10 scores.
“I’ve been coaching here for 19 years and there have been some great quarterbacks come through Grove City,” said Mowrey, “but Hunter is really special. He has a quiet confidence about him and is very humble. You’d never know he’s as good as he is.”
In the September game, Slippery Rock’s Sam Schwartz picked off Hohman twice and the quarterback was sacked twice, but Wendereusz knows what the signal caller is capable of.
“Being a dual-threat, he’s all over the place,” he said. “He runs aggressively and is accurate with all of his throws.”
Hohman has two main targets — Nathan Greer and Gavin Lutz — who have combined for 90 receptions for 1,405 yards and 15 scores.
The Rockets gained 330 yards of offense in the first game, but did not maximize their opportunities.
“We moved the ball well at times, but we need to be more consistent with getting points on the board,” said Wendereusz. “We have a game plan in place that we feel can be effective. We’re excited to see what we can do with it.”
Senior quarterback William Mokel has amassed 1,979 passing yards with 18 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
Grove City’s defense has proved susceptible to the run, allowing an average of 170 yards per game on the ground this season and 25 touchdowns.
Slippery Rock running back Maddox Allen will spearhead his team’s attempt to exploit that. He enters the game with 959 yards and nine touchdowns.
But Mowrey has confidence in his defense.
“Our guys have done a tremendous job on that side of the ball,” he said. “Earlier this season, we scored a defensive touchdown in four straight games. The guys have stepped up when we needed them.
“Our philosophy is to end each drive with a kick. If we need to punt, that’s not the end of the world ... or an extra point or field goal. We can’t give Slippery Rock short fields by turning the ball over.”
