ADAMS TWP - Pick your cliché.

Roller-coaster ride, up and down, back and forth are all applicable descriptions for the shootout that took place Friday night at Mars High School.

At the completion of a game that took more than three hours to complete, Center and Mars had rushed for 358 and 248 yards, respectively, and Center claimed a 48-21 high school football victory.

Center led 14-7 at halftime with the help of Sammy DiMatteo's 91-yard touchdown run at the end of the first quarter.

The real fun began with less than five minutes left in the third.

DiMatteo's second touchdown run - a 6-yarder - began a scoring spree in which six touchdowns were scored in fewer than eight minutes.

Paul Ferrese, who led Mars with 171 total rushing yards, scored his second touchdown of the night on a 51-yard run with 2:18 remaining in the third to close the gap to 21-14.

Just when the Planets had regained the momentum, Center running back Ashton Cobb broke loose for what could have been an 80-yard touchdown run.

However, officials ruled that Cobb dropped the football prior to crossing the goal line. Mars recovered the fumble in the end zone for a touchback.

But Center was able to regroup. The visitors went on to score three more touchdowns, including a 50-yard run by Cobb. This time, he made sure he hung on for the distance.

Despite his unhappiness with the play, head coach Larry Taddeo was pleased with the way his team responded.

"I was happy with the way the kids kept their poise and came right back despite their frustration," Taddeo said.

Mars head coach Scott Heinauer said he was pleased his young club didn't quit despite being outmatched by a more athletic club.

Both teams' head coaches said they will focus on tackling in practice as they prepare for their conference openers next week.