ADAMS TWP — It would be a stretch to call Mars' football game at Blackhawk Friday a must-win.

But a loss would put the Planets in an 0-2 conference hole the program has not faced in 13 years.

Mars (1-1 overall) last started 0-2 when it was a member of Class AA's Allegheny Conference in 2003. The Planets battled back to qualify for the WPIAL playoffs that season, but coach Scott Heinauer is hoping his team can make things a bit easier on itself this time.

'“Must' is a pretty big word,” he said, “but we 'need' to win this game. That's the best word I can use. When you fall to 0-2 in your conference, it makes it very tough in terms of making the playoffs.

Mars met with a 35-14 Northwest Nine Conference loss last week at South Fayette.

The Planet offense sputtered in the defeat. Its usually-powerful ground game was held to 113 yards on 46 carries. Mars also turned the ball over four times, three coming on interceptions off the arm of senior quarterback Noah Wright. He was relieved by sophomore Tyler Kowalkowski, who completed two passes for 32 yards and a touchdown.

“We put Tyler in because we wanted to see how he did with some heat on him,” said Heinauer, “but Noah will be the starter this week, no question. There's no wavering on our part.”

The biggest challenge facing the Planet defense Friday will be containing Blackhawk's rushing attack. In last week's 28-27 overtime victory at Knoch, the Cougars chewed up 240 yards on the ground on 62 carries and scored three touchdowns.

Senior quarterback Mike Savilisky completed 11-of-16 passes for 112 yards, including the game-winner, a 10-yard scoring strike to Mark McKenna.

“They run a lot of stuff out of the spread formation, but their quarterback runs a lot (20 carries for 52 yards last week.) We have to stop him from doing that.”

Savilisky is in his second year as the Cougars' starting signal caller.

“Last year, he wasn't just learning a new system, but also was competing for the starting job,” said Blackhawk coach Joe Lamenza. “He knew he was our starter entering this season and that has allowed him to focus just on getting better. That's all we ask of him, to get better every week.”

But the Cougars also have halfbacks Alex Desmond and Kyle Peterson, who combined for 153 yards on 31 carries against Knoch.

As always, the Planet linebackers will have a lot of responsibility in defending the run and the pass. The starting three will include Paul King, Max Chizmar and Anthony Grieco.

“Mars is a terrific football team, top to bottom,” said Lamenza. “They are a perennial playoff contender and just a very consistent program.”

Lamenza is in his second year at Blackhawk and is coming off a 1-8 season. The Cougars' last winning season was 2011 under coach Joe Hamilton.