Prior to the start of the season, Mars football coach Scott Heinauer mulled over a challenging three-game stretch that awaited his Planets.

“We had Montour, Highlands and New Castle all in a row,” said Heinauer. “I figured if we could go 2-1 in those games, hopefully it would be good enough to help us get to the playoffs.”

The Planets won the first two, dispatching Montour 35-14 and Highlands last week 14-8.

“Now that we have a chance to go 3-0, that would really cement some things into place for us. We need to keep pace with the other teams,” Heinauer said.

The Planets are riding a three-game winning streak, which began with a win over Blackhawk Sept. 9. But they will encounter a New Castle squad even hotter come Friday.

After dropping a 44-28 decision to Aliquippa to begin the season, the Red Hurricanes (4-1, 4-0) have reeled off four straight conference wins. Most recently, they dismantled Indiana 54-16.

The Planets and Hurricanes will meet in what could be a Northwest Nine Conference classic at 7 p.m. at Taggart Stadium.

The teams met in a WPIAL Class AAA first-round playoff game last season, with Mars prevailing 17-14.

“Mars is an incredibly physical team,” said New Castle coach Joe Cowart. “They are so well-coached, they won't beat themselves.”

Cowart's defense allowed 272 rushing yards to the Planets last year, 141 of them coming from fullback Isaiah Johnson, who is now a senior and looking to cause similar headaches for the 'Canes.

“Mars is a downhill running team,” said Cowart. “We're getting better in our rush defense. Any success we have Friday will be a product of us doing our job better than them.”

Offensively, New Castle is directed by senior quarterback Geno Stone. It's his first year starting behind center, but he is used to making plays on both sides of the ball. In the playoff loss last fall, Stone caught four passes for 89 yards.

Another player the Planets must keep track of is junior Marcus Hooker, who has lined up at wide receiver, halfback and even taken snaps in the Wildcat formation this season. He has five catches for 189 yards, 275 yards on the ground on just 22 attempts and has scored eight total touchdowns.

“He's also our leading tackler on defense, where he plays safety,” said Cowart. “Good things seem to happen when he's around the ball and we try to get it to him as many ways as we can.”

“Those two players (Stone and Hooker) have a lot of speed,” said Heinauer. “They're very dangerous and we have to contain both of them.”

Mars (4-1, 3-1) will bring its own playmakers into the fray, sophomore wingback/safety Garrett Reinke being one of them.

Aside from his 490 yards from scrimmage and five total touchdowns on offense, he is part of a defense that has given up just 43 combined points in the team's four wins.

“He's got good tackling ability and he's only a sophomore, so he continues to learn,” said Heinauer.

Senior defensive end John Jackson is doing his part at the other end of the defense.

“He's very quick,” said Heinauer. “He does a great job in the pass rush and pursuing the run. He was playing behind John Castello (Class of 2016) the last few years, which is understandable. He's more mature this year and understands his role.”