ADAMS TWP — It's a simple rule, but one that is easier said than done.

Don't turn the ball over.

With just three weeks left in the regular season, the Trinity High football team's season seemed lost.

The Hillers were 1-5 overall and 1-3 in the Big Seven Conference.

"After Week 6, we were minus-17 in turnovers," said veteran Hillers coach Ed Dalton. "But we still had a good chance to win in three of those five losses.

"Then we started to hang onto the ball."

The ball security worked wonders as Trinity won its last three games, including conference wins over West Mifflin (28-0) and Ringgold (24-10).

The late-season revival earned the Hillers (4-5) fourth place in the Big Seven and a WPIAL Class AAA playoff berth.

They will travel to Mars (6-3) for a first-round affair at 7:30 p.m. Friday night.

Like the Planets, Trinity sports a formidable running game, albeit from a different offensive set.

"We run the I-formation," said Dalton. "Our top two backs, seniors Dan Miller and Mike Preston, have been out with injuries, but they should be ready to go Friday.

Sophomore halfback Eric Richards made the most of his playing time last week, rushing for 240 yards and three touchdowns in the playoff-clinching win over Ringgold.

"They've got a lot of speed and run the ball well," said Mars coach Scott Heinauer. "They're big and talented."

Senior quarterback Andrew Steratore has passed for about 800 yards, nine touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Wideouts Joe Havrilak and Dusty Avolio have both caught 20 balls and are averaging around 20 yards per reception.

Dalton is familiar with the Wing-T, the offense Mars has run for almost two decades.

"When I first got to Trinity, we ran the Wing-T," said Dalton. "Mars is well-coached and that offense poses a lot of challenges to defenses.

"We can't allow big plays," he added. "Teams that don't give up the big play to Mars have either beaten them or been very competitive."

The Planets defeated Knoch last week, 7-3, to earn a share of the Greater Allegheny Conference title.

Junior fullback Austin Miele left the game with a hamstring injury, but Heinauer has said, "He will play Friday."

Miele finished the regular season as Butler County's top rusher with 1,184 yards and has scored 14 total touchdowns, including one on defense where he plays linebacker.

Aside from this week's playoff game, Heinauer is linked with Trinity football.

"That's where I began my coaching career," he said. "In 1982, I was the defensive coordinator down there."