ADAMS TWP — Thomas Sheehy proved to be Seth Cohen's most reliable target Friday night.

Good for Mars, bad for Highlands.

Cohen, a junior quarterback for the Golden Rams, entered the Northwest Nine Conference clash with 11 touchdowns and no interceptions this season.

Sheehy, Mars' junior defensive back, intercepted four of his passes as Highlands' dangerous aerial show was grounded for virtually the entire night in a 21-10 Planet victory at the Mars Athletic Complex.

“My dad told me before the game that I was going to intercept two passes tonight,” said Sheehy. “I got the first one and I would have been happy with that. Then came two, three and four. ... I'm on top of the world right now.”

“It's probably a (team) record,” Mars coach Scott Heinauer said of the four interceptions in a single game. “We're obviously proud of him.”

Cohen's frustrating evening began on the first drive of the game. On a third down play near midfield, he lofted a pass down the right sideline for wide receiver Gabe Booker, but Sheehy snagged his first theft of the night and returned the ball 34 yards to the Rams' 46.

Seven plays later, fullback Teddy Ruffner scored from one yard out. Chris Check's point after gave Mars an early 7-0 lead.

Sheehy saved a potential touchdown on the next drive. Highlands reached the Planet 26 when Cohen threw a pass into double coverage in the end zone, where, once again, Sheehy was waiting.

“For a quarterback, some nights are better than others,” said Rams' coach Domenick Girardi. “People in the stands assume that if a quarterback throws an interception, it's always his fault. Sometimes, a receiver runs the wrong route. When you throw the ball, a lot of things have to go right.”

Mars extended its lead to 14-0 with Andrew Moyer's 11-yard burst in the second quarter.

Desperate for a spark, the Rams turned to their running game. Twelve straight running plays — 10 of them by Cameron Taylor and Jermaine Jett — moved the ball to the Planet 8. Cohen threw two incompletions before Jaci Bowser came on to salvage three points with a 25-yard field goal and the Planets led 14-3 at the half.

Sheehy's third pick of the night led to Ruffner's 11-yard scoring run in the fourth quarter. His fourth stopped a Highlands drive near midfield.

It was only a trick play that got the Rams into the end zone.

With 1:21 left in the game, Cohen completed a 5-yard pass to Jett, who then lateraled the ball to Romello Freeman, who raced 75 yards for a touchdown.

The Rams recovered the ensuing onside kick, but turned the ball over on downs.

“We knew they were going to throw the ball, their quarterback was averaging well over 200 yards per game,” said Heinauer. “Our defense was the story tonight.”

Ruffner, making his first varsity start in place of the injured Garrett Reinke, rushed for 130 yards and the two scores.

“The swelling is gone (in Reinke's ankle),” said Heinauer. “We just didn't want to take any chances tonight.”

Highlands 0 3 0 7 — 10

Mars 7 7 0 7 — 21

First Quarter

M — Teddy Ruffner 1 run (Chris Check kick), 5:03

Second Quarter

M — Andrew Moyer 11 run (Check kick), 5:20

H — Jaci Bowser 25 field goal, :04

Fourth Quarter

M — Ruffner 9 run (Check kick), 8:39

H — Jermaine Jett 75 run after lateral (Bowser kick), 1:03

Individual Statistics

Rushing: Highlands, Gabe Booker 1-0, Seth Cohen 2-(-5), Cameron Taylor 8-40, Jermaine Jett 15-68, Logan Crise 1-3, Noah Gillette 1-2, Ryan Signorella 1-1. Mars, Tyler Kowalkowski 4-(-10), Andrew Moyer 8-29, Teddy Ruffner 24-130, Chuck Green 4-39, Davis Bayne 2-14, TEAM 2-(-4).

Passing: Highlands, Seth Cohen 8-26-141-4. Mars, Tyler Kowalkowski 1-6-7-0, Teddy Ruffner 1-1-60-0.

Receiving: Highlands, Logan Crise 2-11, Romello Freeman 2-20, Johnny Crise 2-21, Ryan Signorella 2-14, Jermaine Jett 0-75. Mars, Teddy Ruffner 1-7, Cade Hetzler 1-60.