What happens to a good high school football team after losing back-to-back conference games?

Mars is about to find out.

The Planets (3-1, 2-1) will travel to Highlands for a Northwest Nine Conference meeting with the Golden Rams Friday night.

After a blowout win over Ambridge to begin the season, Highlands (1-2, 1-2) has let two key games slip from its grasp — a 29-26 loss to New Castle in Week 2 and a 21-14 setback against Knoch last week.

“Mistakes have hurt us,” said veteran Rams' coach Sam Albert. “We need to quit beating ourselves.

“We had New Castle beat and had a touchdown called back because of a holding penalty,” he added. “Against Knoch, we brought nothing as far as intensity. We were as down as I've ever seen us and I don't know why. If we play this week like we did last week, the game will be over by halftime. Mars is that good.”

Mars coach Scott Heinauer knows how formidable a talented team can be when it is licking its wounds.

“That's a huge factor,” he said of the Rams. “They're a good football team, they're playing at home and Sam Albert is a good coach.”

The Rams rely heavily on senior Brayden Thimons on both sides of the ball. He plays inside linebacker on defense and is a three-year starter at quarterback.

Last season, Thimons passed for 1,250 yards and eight touchdowns. He struggled in the road loss to Knoch last week, completing just seven of his 14 attempts for 77 yards and two interceptions.

Thimons and the Rams will face a staunch Mars defense that has not allowed a point in the second half in three of four games.

“They fly to the football and it shows up in the stats,” said Albert.

Leading the charge for the Planets is linebacker Max Chizmar. In last week's 35-14 victory over Montour, the 6-foot-3, 215-pound senior had several stops at or behind the line of scrimmage. The Spartans ended the game with a paltry 61 rushing yards on 27 attempts.

“He's been starting for three years and is the quarterback of the defense,” said Heinauer. “We go as he goes.

“When your kids are coachable, when they believe what you're telling them, it makes a huge difference.”

Mars wide receiver Ben Perdziola is making an impact despite limited opportunities.

The senior has caught just five passes this year, but his average of 28.6 yards-per-catch does give opposing defenses something to think about. It was Perdziola's 28-yard reception from quarterback Noah Wright on a 3rd-and-10 play last week that ignited a dominant second half for the Planets.

“He can jump and run and that makes him dangerous for us,” said Heinauer. “He's been waiting his turn and is making the most of his opportunities.”