Maintaining Momentum
Clinching a WPIAL playoff berth may seem like a mere formality for the streaking Mars football team, but the Planets also want to give themselves a chance at a high seed and the home playoff game that comes with it.
The stretch run of the regular season begins Friday when the Planets visit Fox Chapel, a team that will throw an unfamiliar defensive look at Mars' potent offense.
“They run a 3-4 defense. I don't know if we've ever seen a 3-4 in all the years I've been coaching,” said Mars coach Scott Heinauer. “They play man-to-man, but have had some breakdowns.”
But not many on either side of the ball last week when the Foxes (2-5, 1-3) rolled over host Connellsville, 45-15.
It was a reprieve for a Foxes squad that has found the going rough in 2018. They dropped their first four games this season by a combined score of 159-31. The losing skid stopped with a 27-6 win over conference foe Hampton Sept. 21.
“There hasn't been a game this season when we've had all of our guys together,” said Fox Chapel coach Tom Loughran. “We've dealt with a lot of injuries. We're trying to work with the guys we have, accentuate their talents to help us win games.”
Offensively, the Foxes rely on the running of tailbacks Tim Johnston and Sam Brown. The duo has combined for 662 yards through seven games. Brown scored four touchdowns in last week's victory.
Quarterback Shane Susnak completed 10 of 11 passes for 236 yards and a pair of touchdowns against Connellsville. Susnak has 847 passing yards on the season.
“We had some explosive plays last week, not only in the passing game, but also in our running game,” said Loughran. “Our line played better, too, with blocking blitzes and stunts.”
“After what they did last week, we have to slow them down,” said Heinauer. “We want to get out to a quick lead in this game.”
One player looking to help the Planets (6-1, 3-1), winners of three straight, do just that is sophomore middle linebacker Ben Chizmar, who spearheaded the defensive effort in last week's 42-14 win over North Hills.
“When the linebackers play well, the whole defense plays better,” said Heinauer.
On defense, Loughran counts heavily on his only two starters back from last year — cornerback Korey Simmons and Johnston, an outside linebacker.
“We have not played well defensively throughout the season,” admitted Loughran. “We are working to better stop the run. That will be paramount this week. Mars can throw the ball, but most of what they do is on the ground.”
Adding to the challenge facing Fox Chapel's defense is Garrett Reinke, Mars' senior fullback who is the leading rusher in all of WPIAL Class 5A with 1,120 yards. He is averaging seven yards per carry.
“They (Planets) try to out-flank you and put you in positions where you hurt yourself,” said Loughran.
The Planets are working with their second starting center this season. Junior Russell Snow, who was injured against Penn Hills in the fourth game of the season, returned only to leave last week's game with a season-ending injury. In his place is freshman Remy Crofutt.
“You feel for a kid like Russell,” said Heinauer. “He started four games for us, spent a lot of time in the weight room and did a great job.”
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
