ADAMS TWP — Two running threats are better than one.

That is, unless it's your team trying to stop them.

Montour's defense cracked under the weight of a combined 288 yards and five touchdowns from Mars' Isaiah Johnson and Garrett Reinke.

The duo helped Mars pull away in the second half of a 35-14 Northwestern Nine Conference win Friday at the Mars Athletic Complex.

“We've always had successful teams when we have two guys who can run the ball that well,” said Planet coach Scott Heinauer. “We have a great fullback (Johnson), a great wingback (Reinke) and Max (Chizmar, wingback) and the line do a great job of blocking. That's a big factor.”

The game was tied 14-all at halftime, but Mars received the second half kickoff and marched 61 yards in eight plays. Quarterback Noah Wright completed a 28-yard pass to Ben Perdziola on a 3rd-and-10 play from Mars' 39. Five plays later, Johnson scored the second of his four touchdowns from five yards out.

A sack by Mars' Anthony Grieco helped force a Spartan punt on the ensuing drive and Mars' offense was back on the field.

This time, it took the Planets seven plays to find pay dirt as Johnson's 13-yard scamper made it 28-14.

Johnson ended the game with 142 yards and four touchdowns.

Montour's passing game, which produced 108 yards in the first half and set up both of the team's touchdowns, was non-existent in the third quarter. The Spartans' first completion of the second half did not come until 7:15 remained in the game. By that point, Mars' lead had swelled to 35-14.

Montour quarterbacks Kavon Morman and Mason Schrenker combined to complete 7-of-14 passes for 116 yards and an interception.

“Mars' offense kept us off the field in the second half,” said Spartan coach Lou Cerro. “They took it to us up front.”

But when the Spartan offense was on the field, Mars quickly sent it back to the sidelines.

Led by Chizmar at linebacker and lineman John Jackson, the Planets surrendered just 10 yards of offense and a single first down in the second half.

“We made a few defensive adjustments at halftime, but the biggest thing is we are playing with confidence,” Heinauer said.

Morman hooked up with wide receiver Ron DeShantz for a gain of 26 yards on one first-half drive and found Austin Deutsch for 36 yards on the next series. Both drives ended with scoring runs from Brayden Jones. The second touchdown gave the Spartans (1-2, 1-2) a 14-7 lead with 6:35 left in the second quarter. But Mars pulled even two minutes later when Reinke raced 59 yards for a touchdown.

Reinke gained 146 yards and scored once.

“He's a tank out there,” Johnson said of his backfield mate. “He's got quick feet and he plays to win. He's gonna be great.”

Mars (3-1, 2-1) will travel to Highlands next Friday.