ADAMS TWP — Every tournament needs a sleeper.

In the WPIAL Class AAA football playoffs, New Castle would certainly qualify.

The 13th-seeded Red Hurricane enter the playoffs with a 5-4 record. The team’s losses have come by an average of 23 points.

But as the head coach now preparing his team to host New Castle in a first-round game on Friday, Mars’ Scott Heinauer knows there is more to the Hurricane than just their record.

“They have athletes, including their quarterback (Pat Minenok),” said Heinauer. “He can throw and run, better than any quarterback we’ve faced this year. He’s more dangerous when he’s on the run and if he breaks our containment, we’ll be in trouble. It’s going to be a challenge.”

New Castle had several players suspended in Weeks 6 and 7 following a pre-game altercation with Central Valley Oct. 9. The Hurricane fell to Central Valley 35-0 and Ambridge 23-8 during the suspensions. New Castle then closed the regular season with key Parkway Conference victories over Chartiers Valley and last week against Hopewell (39-13).

“The suspensions galvanized this team,” said fourth-year New Castle coach Joe Cowart. “It turned our Week 8 and 9 games into playoff games. We are not proud of what happened, but we’ve dealt with it and the kids have done a good job of coming back from it.”

Minenok, a senior, is a two-year starter.

“He is the undisputed leader of the team on both offense and defense, where he plays strong safety,” said Cowart.

Marcus Hooker, Geno Stone and Cameron Stone have provided Minenok with a reliable trio of receivers. Daylyn Glenel, who Cowart described as “small and shifty,” is the team’s top threat in the running game and rushed for three touchdowns in last week’s win.

Mars’ secondary will need to help the defense against the Hurricane’s ground and air attack. That group includes cornerbacks Josh Raymundo, Nate Rosswog and Isaiah Johnson and safeties Eli Brooks and Jack Cassidy.

Mars (8-1), which this season won its first outright conference title since 2012, has its own offensive threats.

Johnson, a junior fullback, has rushed for 1,470 yards and 16 touchdowns. Brooks, a wingback, and tight end John Castello have combined for 725 receiving yards and 11 of quarterback Sam Morrissey’s 12 touchdown passes.

“We’ve only got three days to prepare for (Mars’) Wing-T offense. No team in our conference runs it,” said Cowart. “They run the ball very well and can hit the play-action pass when they have to. It’s no accident they are conference champions.”

Heinauer expects a raucous crowd at the Mars Athletic Complex.

“Between our student section and adult fan base, a lot of people follow us,” he said. “It’s going to be an electric atmosphere.”

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.