This is one in a series of previews of Butler County area high school football games this FridayADAMS TWP — The Mars football team was out of its element last Friday.The ground game the Planets take so much pride in was shut down by South Fayette as Mars gained just 43 yards in 22 attempts. The result was a 30-6 loss to open Northwest Nine Conference play.Mars (1-1 overall) will attempt to avoid a 0-2 start when it hosts Blackhawk on Friday. Whether or not the Planets are able to accomplish that will depend heavily on getting back to running the football effectively.“We talked about it. We know we need to run the football and that starts with getting more consistent with our blocking,” Mars coach Scott Heinauer said. “We want to run and mix in the pass, but we don't want to be in a position where we have to throw on every down.”The Planets may be catching Blackhawk at the right time. The Cougars allowed nearly 300 rushing yards in a 39-13 loss to Knoch last week.Knoch (Triple Option) and Mars (Wing-T) run different offensive schemes, but Heinauer is hoping to add to Blackhawk's defensive struggles.“We need to get back on track, back to basics this week,” he said. “There is no reason to add any plays. The key is to run our plays the way we are capable of running them.”“The Wing-T has some option elements, but formation-wise and from a play-calling standpoint, they're totally different offenses,” said Blackhawk coach Joe Lamenza.A consistent ground attack would take some pressure off of Mars' first-year starting quarterback, junior Tyler Kowalkowski. Through two games, he has completed 12-of-28 passes for 228 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions.The one score was a 67-yard strike to wideout Cade Hetzler last week.Mars' defense experienced its own troubles against South Fayette, which gained 432 yards of offense and outscored the Planets 23-6 in the second half.“Defensively, some people were trying to do more than others last week,” said Heinauer. “We need a team effort.”Blackhawk running back Kenny Gawley showed his capabilities last week, running 73 yards for a touchdown. But he ended the game with just four carries for 84 yards.“He's our main guy,” said Lamenza, “but last week, the running game was more by committee. The other guys got carries when the game was still close.”Lamenza is working with a first-year starter at quarterback in senior Payton Stewart (5-foot-9, 142 pounds), who completed 8-of-11 passes for 83 yards and a touchdown in the loss to Knoch.“Our second scrimmage was against Seneca Valley (Aug. 25). Payton wore a red jersey and we didn't have our full offense at our disposal,” Lamenza said. “So, there was only so much we could get out of that. All factors considered, I thought he played well last week.”The Planets defeated Blackhawk, 24-21, last season.