This is one of a series of articles previewing this weekend's high school football playoff games

Members of Mars' defense have had a lot to digest this week in preparation for Friday's WPIAL Class 4A football quarterfinal playoff game at Belle Vernon.

“We watched two game films of them and they ran out of 30 different formations on offense,” said Planet coach Scott Heinauer. “That poses some problems for us, but we'll do our best to cover what we can cover.”

The Leopards (9-0), members of the Big Nine Conference, won a conference crown with an undefeated record for the second time in three years. This year's perfect run was capped with last Friday's 42-0 non-conference win over Ambridge.

Belle Vernon has now made the postseason nine straight years, but in that span the program's record in the playoffs is a woeful 1-8.

Leopard coach Matt Humbert is hoping for an extended stay this time.

“The goal is to be playing your best football right now and we've evolved offensively and defensively since the start of the season,” he said. “With the undefeated record, it's gratifying to see the hard work pay off.”

Like the Planets with junior Tyler Kowalkowski, Belle Vernon has a first-year starter at quarterback in sophomore Jared Hartman. The latter has passed for over 800 yards and 15 touchdowns.

“He can make all the throws in our playbook,” Humbert said. “He's more mature now than your average sophomore.”

Hartman's top targets are Logan Pfrogner and Derek Thomas, who both have over 300 yards receiving.

Mars, however, has its own playmaker who will make things difficult on the Leopards' passing attack. Junior safety Thomas Sheehy has nine interceptions this season.

“He's a kid who teams don't want to test,” Heinauer said. “Nine interceptions says it all. We've never had a kid like that and it takes a lot of air out of opposing passing attacks.”

Belle Vernon's top rusher is Mason Pascoe, who has rushed for over 700 yards.

Anchoring both the offensive and defensive lines for the Leopards is University of Pittsburgh commit Blake Zubovic (6-foot-6, 305-pounds).

He will be counted on to help keep Mars' ground game in check, which is easier said than done. While the Planets do not have a 1,000-yard rusher this season — a staple for Mars teams of the past — they do feature three backs with over 450 yards.

Junior fullback Garrett Reinke leads the way with 474 yards and eight touchdowns. Throw in wingback Chuck Green (469-3) and fullback Teddy Ruffner (462-5) and the trio has accounted for 1,405 yards and 16 scores.

“Mars (6-4) has four losses, but they don't look like a typical four-loss team,” said Humbert. “They have some big kids up front and their Wing-T is something you really have to prepare for.”

Kowalkowski has done his part to make sure teams can't load the box to defend the run, throwing for 865 yards and eight touchdowns.

“We have a passing attack thanks to him,” Heinauer said. “We have a couple of good receivers (Cade Hetzler, 523-5 and Sheehy, 210-3). Tyler has been more than adequate this year.”

Mars is coming off a disappointing 21-10 loss in the regular-season finale last week against Knoch. The defeat kept the Planets from placing second in the Northwest Nine Conference and hosting a playoff game this week.

“We had eight holding penalties and Knoch had none,” said Heinauer. “That affects kids and I was not happy with the officiating and I let that be known.

“It is what it is, though. We're preparing for the playoffs.”

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.