Pitching a shutout
ADAMS TWP — The crowning achievement for a defense in any one contest is a shutout.
Mars’ football team is just one game into the 2016 season, but it already has one under its belt.
The Planets held Hampton to just 82 yards of offense in the first half of a 28-0 win Friday at the Mars Athletic Complex.
“Our defense played well,” said Mars coach Scott Heinauer. “We clamped down when it was time and we came up with some big plays. That was a big factor.”
The Talbots relied heavily on the running of quarterback Ross Andersson and halfback Alex Bianco. The duo had a good combined average (23 carries for 124 yards), but between big third-down stops by Mars and penalties, it was a case of one step up, two steps back for Hampton’s offense.
“The team is pretty excited about the shutout, especially since it came against a rival,” said sophomore Garrett Reinke, who started at safety.
The frustration began on the Talbots’ first drive. A 21-yard run from Bianco helped to set the team up in Mars territory. Hampton was set to go for a 4th-and-3 from the Planet 44, but an illegal procedure penalty cost the Talbots five yards and forced a punt.
Hampton ended the half with five penalties worth a seemingly modest 30 yards, but the miscues came at key times.
Mars’ Anthony Grieco, Zach Kramm, Nick Schriver and Hunter Cooper each came up with a big stop behind the line of scrimmage in the first half to make life more difficult for Andersson and the Hampton offense.
“When you play a game after just one scrimmage, you’re bound to have some mistakes,” said Talbot coach Jacque DeMatteo. “This game was lost up front. Mars established the running game and controlled the clock. That’s what we strive to do.”
Controlling the clock is easy when you rush for 319 yards, which is what Mars managed.
Reinke scored on an 8-yard run in the first quarter to give the Planets the lead, but it was in the third quarter when the team reached another gear.
Mars took the second half kickoff and marched 80 yards in 13 plays, all runs. Nine of those carries went to fullback Isaiah Johnson, who found pay dirt from one yard out.
It took just two plays for Mars to get the ball back as John Jackson recovered a fumble at the Talbot 31. Johnson scored his second touchdown soon after and Mars had complete control of the game.
Johnson ended the game with 138 yards on 24 carries and Reinke added 92 yards on 12 attempts.
“The guys up front were making good reads with their blocks,” said Reinke. “We saw that and just made plays.”
“We’re happy with the outcome of the game,” said Heinauer, “but we’re even more happy with the fact that our kids were physical tonight and they stayed on assignment.”
Davis Bayne capped the scoring with a 31-yard run late in the fourth period.
Senior kicker Caleb Brake booted all four extra points for the Planets.
Mars opens Northwest Nine Conference play next Friday by traveling to South Fayette.
