AMBRIDGE — Mars came up just short in a battle of big plays and in the game.

The Planets never let defending WPIAL champion Central Valley pull away, but surrendered too many big gains in a 48-41 thriller in a Class AAA semifinal Friday at Ambridge High School's Moe Rubenstein Stadium.

Mars (10-2) pulled to within seven points when Sam Morrissey threw his third touchdown pass of the night, a 23-yard strike to Eli Brooks, with 2:06 left in the game.

The Planets then almost recovered an onside kick, but the ball rolled out of bounds. Three plays later, Kyle Vreen sealed the win for the Warriors (11-1) with a 7-yard run on third-and-four near midfield.

“Our kids never give up,” said Planets' coach Scott Heinauer. “We thought we had a chance until the kid squirted for a first down at the end.”

The Warriors led 34-27 entering the fourth quarter before Kurt Reinstadtler caught a 91-yard touchdown pass from Chris Callaghan to make it 41-27. But the Planets answered with a blocked punt and recovery by Max Chizmar and Morrissey's 13-yard scoring strike to John Castello with 5:50 left.

“We knew we had to go after it (the punt) to give ourselves a chance,” said Heinauer.

“We knew Mars was well-coached,” said Warriors' coach Mark Lyons. “They weren't going away. Our kids just made a few more plays.”

The last big one came late in the fourth period when Vreen raced down the left sideline on a 60-yard scoring run for a 48-34 lead. Vreen had tallied just 61 yards on 18 carries before the scoring jaunt.

“We tell Kyle it's like investing,” said Lyons. “You put some money in during the first and second quarter. Come the fourth quarter, you cash that check.”

Mars was without junior fullback Isaiah Johnson, who dressed, but never saw action against the Warriors. He rushed for over 1,600 yards this season.

“He took a helmet to the back last week (against Ringgold),” said Heinauer. “He was cleared to play, but we didn't think it was in his best interest to play him. You have to side with the kid's health.”

The Planets still received a standout rushing effort from freshman Garrett Reinke, who had 23 totes for 86 yards and three touchdowns. He carried the ball eight times on the game's first drive and scored from 1 yard out to give the Planets an early lead.

Trailing by six points mid-way through the third period, Mars had a chance to take the lead, but Caleb Brake's point after attempt following Reinke's 3-yard scoring run was blocked to keep the score knotted at 27.

Four minutes later, the Warriors took the lead for good on Terry Woods' short touchdown run.

Reinstadtler caught touchdown tosses of 23 yards in the first quarter and 65 yards in the second. He finished with five catches for 225 and a pair of scores.

“It's a connection (Callaghan to Reinstadtler) that has been working for us all year,” said Lyons. “Those two trust one another and they work hard at it.”

“We missed some tackles and just gave up too many big plays,” said Heinauer. “You can't have that against a team like this.”

Warriors' kicker Brendan Jugan booted field goals of 31 and 30 yards. The latter gave his team a 27-21 lead at halftime.

The Planets' bid to play at Heinz Field in the championship game next Saturday fell short, but Heinauer is pleased with the season, which included a Greater Allegheny Conference title.

“I'm proud of the kids,” said Heinauer. “Our seniors showed the other guys what it's all about.”

Central Valley 48, Mars 41

Mars 7 14 6 14 — 41

Central Valley 10 17 7 14 — 48

M CV

17 First Downs 19

39-127 Rushes-Yards 44-252

178 Passing Yards 304

9-21-0 Comp.-Att.-Int 10-23-0

305 Total Yards 556

1-0 Fumbles-Lost 0-0

3-35 Penalty Yards 6-62

First Quarter

M — Garrett Reinke 1 run (Caleb Brake kick), 8:03

CV — Brendan Jugan 31 field goal, 5:11

CV — Kurt Reinstadtler 23 pass from Chris Callaghan (Jugan kick), :43

Second Quarter

CV — Kyle Vreen 1 run (Jugan kick), 9:23

M — Nate Sablowski 37 pass from Sam Morrissey (Brake kick), 7:09

CV — Reinstadtler 65 pass from Callaghan (Jugan kick), 6:58

M— Reinke 4 run (Brake kick), 4:22

CV — Jugan 30 field goal, :06

Third Quarter

M — Reinke 3 run (kick blocked), 6:40

CV — Terry Woods 3 run (Jugan kick), 2:53

Fourth Quarter

CV — Reinstadtler 91 pass from Callaghan (Jugan kick), 8:32

M — John Castello 13 pass from Morrissey (Brake kick), 5:50

CV — Vreen 60 run (Jugan kick), 2:56

M— Eli Brooks 23 pass from Morrissey (Brake kick), 2:06

Individual Statistics

Rushing: Mars, Max Chizmar 1-8, Eli Brooks 10-51, Garrett Reinke 23-86, Sam Morrissey 4-(-16), TEAM 1-(-2); Central Valley, Kyle Vreen 22-134, Deante Bradley 2-11, Nico Battisti 6-78, Terry Woods 5-19, Chris Callaghan 6-13, Maurice Sims 1-(-1), TEAM 2-(-2).

Passing: Mars, Sam Morrissey 9-21-178-0; Central Valley, Chris Callaghan 10-23-304-0.

Receiving: Mars, John Castello 4-77, Nate Sablowski 1-37, Eli Brooks 3-57, Josh Raymundo 1-7; Central Valley, Deante Bradley 2-39, Kurt Reinstadtler 5-225, Aris Tatalovich 2-14, Kyle Vreen 1-26.