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Saturday showdown

Rock needs win to keep playoff hopes alive

By Brandon Fox
Rocket Sports Editor

Issue date: 11/9/07 Section: Sports
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Rock quarterback Nate Crookshank hands the ball off to running back Corey Manfull during a 22-13 loss to California (Pa.). Manfull has run for more than 1,000 yards this season and will be relied on to help keep the high-powered Edinboro offense off the field.
Media Credit: Nate Daymut
Rock quarterback Nate Crookshank hands the ball off to running back Corey Manfull during a 22-13 loss to California (Pa.). Manfull has run for more than 1,000 yards this season and will be relied on to help keep the high-powered Edinboro offense off the field.
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Must-win.

That is what Saturday's game at Edinboro amounts to for the Rock.

A must-win.

Coming off last Thursday's 27-11 victory over Lock Haven, the Rock expected to either remain in the seventh spot in the latest NCAA Division II Northeast Region rankings or move a spot or two higher.

Instead, for the second time this season, the Rock (8-2, 3-2) dropped in the rankings after a win. This time the drop from seventh to eighth could prove to be the fatal blow in the Rock's playoff hopes, as only the top six teams qualify.

"I said it before, and I truly believe that a 9-2 record is enough to get us into the playoffs," Rock Head Coach George Mihalik said. "If we go out there and do our job, I think we deserve to be in."

Obtaining that ninth win of the season is going to be a challenging task as the Rock will travel to Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference West foe Edinboro (7-3, 3-2) for Saturday's do-or-die contest.

Edinboro is led by reigning PSAC Rookie of the Year in quarterback Trevor Harris, who has thrown for an impressive 2,983 yards and 28 touchdowns this season.

"He is good," Mihalik said. "He has no weaknesses. He is what makes them go. You have to stop him and nobody has been able to do that this year."

The Rock is going to need to have a good combination of solid play in the secondary and pressure on the quarterback if it is going to slow Harris down.

"You can't give him a lot of time because he will pick you apart," Mihalik said. "He reads defenses very well, so we are going to have to get pressure on him to get him off his rhythm."
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