SLIPPERY ROCK — Another year another matchup for Brockway and Slippery Rock in the first round of the PIAA Class AAA football playoffs.

The undefeated District 9 champion Rovers (11-0) meet the D-10 champion Rockets (10-1) Friday night at Slippery Rock University’s N. Kerr Thompson Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

Last year’s meeting saw the Rovers get by the Rockets for a 12-7 win, their first-ever state playoff victory. The Rovers rallied from a 7-3 deficit and went ahead for good on quarterback John Himes’ 1-yard TD run late in the third quarter.

Brockway outgained Slippery Rock, 344-188, and rushed for 243 yards. Jeremy Sickeri led the Rovers’ rushing attack with 88 yards on 18 carries and Himes completed 5 of 10 passes for 101 yards.

Slippery Rock, which along with Brockway was making its first state playoff appearance, got 109 yards passing from quarterback Ben Collins. Travis Sarver rushed for 27 yards on 14 carries. Rich Lee caught three passes for 81 yards.

All of those players are back and then some for both teams. Sickeri is the top rusher out of the Rovers’ balanced backfield with 970 yards and eight touchdowns. Seth Rhed (815 yards, 17 TDs) and Andy Martino (745 yards, 11 TDs), who rushed for two touchdowns in last week’s 33-5 win over Karns City, share the balanced load.

Himes, the quarterback, has passed for 900 yards and nine touchdowns. Martino is his top target with 12 catches for 264 yards. Matt Foradora has caught eight passes for 170 yards with five receptions going for touchdowns, including one last week.

Slippery Rock, coached by former Clarion-Limestone head coach Clyde Conti, is paced by running back Sean Ray, who has rushed for 1,328 yards and 19 touchdowns. Sarver has gained 1,235 yards rushing with 23 touchdowns overall. Collins is back as the starting quarterback as a sophomore and isn’t called on to pass much.

In last week’s 34-13 win over Girard in the D-10 title game, Collins was 2-for-4 for 31 yards. Ray rushed for 82 yards and two touchdowns while Sarver ran for 122 yards and two touchdowns.

Collins’ top receiver is Mike McCaffrey (17 catches, 357 yards).

Slippery Rock hasn’t lost to a team in Pennsylvania this year. The Rockets’ only setback came to Youngstown Chaney, in a 28-26 loss on Oct. 3.