Rockets too slippery for Meadville

By T.J. Turrisi

October 11, 2008 October 11, 2008 12:14 am

— SLIPPERY ROCK — The Meadville Bulldogs got a gift and gave a gift on Friday in Slippery Rock.
Unfortunately the ’Dogs’ gift given was more beneficial to the Rockets in a 24-14 non-region road loss.
Down by three points with 4:39 remaining, Meadville was in a 4th-and-5 situation at its own 18.
Coach Mike Pendolino elected to go for it to keep the ball away from the Rockets, but the ball went through receiver Carlos King’s hands just past the first-down marker.
“With the timeouts we had left and field position, we thought we could get it,” Pendolino said. “We had a first down, but it went through his hands.”
The Bulldogs could not make a stand in their own territory, as running back Justin Angerett broke loose for a 17-yard run on the first play from scrimmage.
Three plays later, quarterback Jon Powell scooted in from seven yards deep to put the game away.
The win marked the third straight season Slippery Rock has defeated Meadville.
“We’ve been real fortunate three years in a row,” Rockets’ head coach Clyde Conti said. “The people in Meadville have got to be proud of the job that Mike (Pendolino) and his staff has done, especially with that senior class.
“That’s a playoff-caliber team in AAA right there.”
Meadville outgained Slippery Rock 288-256, but two interceptions and the late turnover on downs preserved Slippery Rock’s win.
Slippery Rock’s gift to the ’Dogs came when Isaac Osborne misplayed the opening kickoff, and DeAirius Goodrum grabbed the ball for a Meadville start at the Rocket 28.
Leading rusher Toney Phillips walked in five plays later on a four yard carry.
Phillips also scored the other Meadville touchdown on a five-yard take early in the fourth quarter. He finished the day with a game-high 121 yards on 18 attempts.
Angerett also hit the century mark at 100 on 18 tries. He answered on Slippery Rock’s first drive with a two-yard scoring rush after a 43-yard strike.
Kicker Mike Ramirez booted a 41-yarder, and Powell went in from seven yards out to take a 17-7 halftime lead.
“It’s not the end of things at all,” Pendolino said. “We have a lot more football to play, and the kids are gonna have their heads of and be ready for Grove City this week.”