ADAMS TWP — Following a 38-point loss to Thomas Jefferson in Week 6, the Mars football team got back to its winning ways with a 49-0 victory at Ambridge last week.

Now the goal is to build momentum for the playoffs.

With two weeks remaining in the regular season, the Planets (6-2, 5-1) sit alone in second place in the Northwest Nine Conference standings. They have two home games left to play — vs. Indiana on Friday and against rival Knoch Oct. 28.

“If we win our next two games, we'll clinch second place in the conference and get a home playoff game,” said Mars coach Scott Heinauer. “But we have to take it one game at a time. We need to prepare for Indiana.”

The Indians (3-4, 2-4) are on the outside looking in when it comes to the postseason. A 56-21 loss last Friday to conference leader South Fayette ended the team's playoff hopes. Indiana had won two straight conference games — against Ambridge (42-13) and Knoch (31-21) — before running into the Lions.

“They should be riding high coming in here,” Heinauer said of the Indians. “They won a game against Knoch that they probably should have lost. I know South Fayette beat them, but everybody falls to South Fayette.”

Indiana is under the direction of first-year head coach JohnAllen Snyder, who served as an assistant under the departed Mark Zilinskas.

“Offensively, they used to run the veer and wishbone, a lot of option stuff,” Heinauer said. “Now it's a power, lead and off-tackle attack. They come right at you. We have to get ready for a physical football game.”

Mars senior fullback Isaiah Johnson scored four touchdowns against Ambridge last week. His 129 rushing yards put him over 1,000 for the second straight year. He currently has 1,019 this season and has rushed for 3,255 yards in his varsity career.

For Heinauer, Johnson's demeanor is just as valuable as his impressive stats.

“We have a two-headed monster back there with Isaiah and Garrett Reinke (591 yards),” Heinauer said. “I think Garrett takes some of the pressure off of Isaiah. Some guys may pout, cry and whine that they're not getting as many carries, but Isaiah's biggest goal is to see us win. He's a leader for us.”

Snyder could not be reached for comment.