What an autumn it's been for boys' soccer.

At least that's been the case for playoff-bound Mars and Knoch high schools.

The two teams have already finished first and second, respectively in Section 2-AA, making their section finale against each other today at Knoch a bit anticlimactic.

The Planets (13-4-1 overall) enter the game with a perfect 13-0 section mark, giving the program its first-ever section title.

It's the fifth time in eight years that Mars has qualified for the WPIAL playoffs.

Knoch, on the other hand, came into this season having had no success in recent memory.

The Knights (12-3, 11-2) have as many section wins this season as they compiled in the seven previous years combined.

From 1997-2003, the Knights were a dreadful 11-81-5 in section play.

But the team's turnaround this season, its first at Class AA under first-year head coach Gus Negrette, did not come as a surprise to everybody.

"Several of their players play for Northern Steel, a Cup team that I coach," said Mars coach Blair Gerlach, whose Planets defeated Knoch earlier this season 3-2. "And most of their best players are juniors and sophomores. So the future looks very bright for boys soccer at Knoch."

Junior forward D.J. Thomas and senior midfielder James Morrow lead the Knights with 18 and 10 goals, respectively.

Freshman Steven Frye and Nate Geibel have split time in goal this season, with Frye starting most games.

"Nate comes in to spell (Frye) a good bit," said Negrette. "In a lot of games, they'll each play a half."

The combination has worked for the Knights, who are giving up just over one goal per game.

Frye is one of Gerlach's players on Northern Steel.

"I've been playing goal for four years now," said Fyre. "But it was the year I spent with Northern Steel (last summer) that really helped me with my technique, especially diving and coming out for balls."

Knoch's defense has played a big role in the team's success as well.

"That group has played solid all season long," said Negrette of a group led by seniors Scott Wetzel and Chris Gagen and junior Eric Paul. "The kids came in motivated at the beginning of the year and we were confident we could have a strong season."

Mars' performance this season has come as a surprise to most after losing 14 seniors from a team that finished 16-5-1 last season, making the PIAA playoffs for the first time ever.

"We came into this season with two players who had a lot of varsity experience (Cameron Frank and Drew Siegel)," said Gerlach. "I think everybody's surprised at how well the team has played."

Mars' offensive attack is led by junior midfielder Greg Tabisz and junior forward Adam Dillner, both having scored 10 goals.

Sophomore Nick Perri and senior Frank both have nine goals.

"We don't have one big goals scorer, somebody with 25 goals," said Gerlach. "What we do have is a bunch of guys who have contributed this year in the scoring department."

Drew Siegel, a junior goalie, is giving up just over one goal every game.

"We knew Drew was our only goalie coming into this season," said Gerlach. "And he could've approached it one of two ways. He could have become lazy, knowing he had the job locked up, or he could spend the off-season working hard to stay on top of his game.

"He chose to work hard and it's a big reason for our success," said Gerlach.

"My biggest improvement was learning to communicate with the defense better," said Siegel. "We've got a lot of younger guys out there and I try to help keep them comfortable on the field."

Standouts on the Planets' defense include Josh Collier Matt Perri and Alex Bugel.