Mars senior Jason Lozzi, pictured here squeezing through a hole during a game last season, is a key member of the Planets on both sides of the ball. Lozzi and his teammates face an early test Friday when they host Franklin Regional.

ADAMS TWP — Due to graduation, Franklin Regional and Mars lost a lot of talent from their respective football teams.

But making the playoffs remains a goal for two of the most consistent programs in the WPIAL.

The Greater Allegheny Conference foes will both look to take the first step toward what they hope is another postseason appearance when they meet Friday night at the Mars Athletic Complex.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

The Panthers have made the playoffs nine straight seasons, while the Planets will look to match that feat this season.

Franklin Regional coach Greg Botta has moved Charan Singh from wide receiver to quarterback. The 6-foot-2, 192-pound senior was his team’s leading receiver as a junior last year, catching 28 passes for 476 yards and five touchdowns.

“The key for him is to understand his role and not try to do too much,” said Botta. “He made some mistakes early in our scrimmage with Upper St. Clair, but he settled in during the second half. Then against Kiski (Area), I thought he played really well.

“It’s a shame our first game is against a team as good as Mars,” added Botta. “Once Charan gets a few starts under his belt, he’s going to be more comfortable. What I like about moving him to quarterback is that he will be touching the ball on every play. He’s a very dynamic player.”

Mars coach Scott Heinauer knows Singh is a threat, regardless of his position.

“He’s very athletic,” he said. “We’ll have our work cut out for us.”

One of Singh’s targets will be senior wideout Colin Jonov, who tallied 413 yards and six touchdowns receiving in 2012.

The biggest area of concern for the Panthers is on the offensive line, which lost all five starters to graduation.

“We lost a lot of key personnel,” said Botta. “We have some seniors starting this year, but many of them do not have much varsity experience.”

The defense returns three starters — Adam Mihoci (6-1, 290) at defensive end and Singh and Jonov at the cornerback positions.

While the Planets will hand the ball off to star junior fullback Josh Schultheis more times than not, he is far from the lone play-maker within Mars’ Wing-T offense.

“Their quarterback can pass and run,” Botta said of senior Owen Nearhoof, who passed for 728 yards and added four rushing touchdowns as a junior.

Senior Jason Lozzi starts at wingback on offense and at outside linebacker on defense.

“He doesn’t get the credit he deserves,” said Heinauer. “He’s one of the hardest-hitting kids we’ve ever had here at Mars and on offense, he does a great job blocking.”

Like the Panthers, the Planets will start a lot of inexperienced players on the offensive line. The lone returning starter will be John King at right guard. The rest of the front will include Joel Glomb at right tackle, Robb Miller at center, Trevor Heyl at left guard, Gabe Spurlock at left tackle and Nolan Skirtich at tight end.

“Both teams have young lines,” said Heinauer. “The team that performs better there will probably win the game.”

Mars beat the Panthers last season, 21-17.