ADAMS TWP — There may be some sports rivalries in which teams don’t respect each other.

That is not the case when Mars and Hampton meet on the gridiron.

The two teams are no longer in the same conference. Mars is now a Class 4-A program playing in the Northwest Nine Conference while Hampton is 5-A and resides in the Allegheny Nine Conference.

The Planets and Talbots will open the 2016 season in a non-conference game at 7 p.m. Friday at the Mars Athletic Complex.

“(Hampton athletic director) Bill Cardone and I got together and scheduled this game,” said Mars athletic director and football coach Scott Heinauer. “We wanted to play it as a game and not just a scrimmage because we want to get our kids ready for South Fayette next week.

“Mars/Hampton is a rivalry,” he added. “We play each other in every sport. When we go up against a Jacque DeMatteo-coached team, we know they’re going to be very disciplined and well-coached.”

Heinauer has good reason for wanting his team to face a stiff test ahead of the conference opener at South Fayette Sept. 2. The Lions played in the WPIAL Class AA title game the last three seasons, winning a district and state crown in 2013 and 2014.

But his immediate focus is on Hampton and in particular, the team’s potent offense. The Talbots return starting quarterback Ross Andersson, who passed for 1,143 yards and 10 touchdowns as a sophomore last season.

With senior cornerback Isaiah Johnson the Planets’ lone returning starter in the defensive backfield, Andersson may try to attack that unit early and often.

“It’s going to be a good test for us,” said Heinauer. “He (DeMatteo) will get his players ready.”

The rest of Mars’ secondary will include Davis Bayne at the other corner and a combination of sophomores Garrett Reinke and Tyler Kowalkowski and senior Ben Perdziola at the safety spots.

Hampton’s top ground-gainer last year, Matt Rech, graduated, but Alex Bianco and Mike Hoffner appear ready to fill that void.

Johnson, a fullback and last year’s Butler Eagle Scoring Trophy winner, will key Mars’ offensive attack.

The Planets won last year’s meeting 30-23.

DeMatteo has led Hampton to the WPIAL playoffs four straight seasons. He could not be reached for comment.