ADAMS TWP — A quarterback with a rifle for an arm, a young running back with speed to burn and a wingback who averaged more than 13 yards every time he touched the ball last year.

It's the Mars High football team and it's coming to a stadium near you.

It all starts with senior quarterback D.J. Cannon, who has more than a season's worth of starts under his belt.

His backfield mate from last year, Paul Ferrese, graduated and took his 2,000-plus career rushing yards with him.

But looking to make a name for himself in 2006 is junior fullback Billy Bair, who ran for five touchdowns and 346 yards last season on just 42 carries — an 8.24 yards-per-carry average.

"He ran very well as a sophomore," said Mars coach Scott Heinauer of Bair, who is a sprinter on the track and field team. "If he has two good years, he could end up as Mars' all-time leading rusher. He has more yards entering his junior season than did Chuck Green, Brad Mueller and Dave Burton."

But there is plenty of talent in the offensive backfield.

Wingback Josh Keil did it all for the Planets as a junior in 2005.

Keil scored five touchdowns receiving last year — from an average distance of 53 yards away. He added five scores on the ground — from an average of 27 yards out.

"Josh is a dual threat," said Heinauer. "He caught a lot of balls last year. He does whatever we need him to do and never complains."

Receivers Ryan Schroth and Carroll Smith, and wingbacks Garrett Smith and Shane Kaclik also will be counted upon to make contributions on offense.

Another luxury the Planets will have this year is experience on the offensive line.

Left tackle Mike Sirney, right guard Ryan Nearhoof, right tackle Scott Brettell and center Andy Howcroft all have seen their share of battles in the trenches during varsity action.

The left guard position is a toss-up between senior Chris Chappel and junior Ed Gaw.

Matt Kennedy will start at tight end.

Carroll Smith and Keil, who Heinauer considers to be the two best athletes on the team, will be the starting cornerbacks in Mars' 5-2 base defense.

"They will have to play a lot of man-to-man," Heinauer said.

Schroth will be the free safety, and Kaclik appears to be the strong safety.

Kennedy and Bair will be at linebacker, but sophomore Dan King could see time there as well.

"Some young kids get shell-shocked when they're thrown in there right away," said Heinauer. "But we always try to play the best kids, regardless of grade.

"Dan shows a lot of promise and is very aggressive."

King is one of 23 sophomores on this year's roster.

"This is one of the largest sophomore classes we've had," Heinauer said. "It's hard to say if any will play this year in a starting role, but we're looking for many of them to contribute."

The defensive line has Chappel at nose guard, Andy Howcroft and Brettell at the tackles and Ryan Nearhoof and Gaw manning the end positions.

Senior Bob McKinney will be the kicker and junior Ryan Schroth will be Mars' punter.

The Planets will be playing their third straight season in the Tri-County North Conference, which includes Neshannock, Shenango, Mohawk, Laurel, Riverside, Summit Academy, Union-New Castle and newcomer Cornell.

The toughest stretch for Mars could be the first two games — a home game Friday against Laurel to open the season and a visit to Riverside Sept. 8.

"Our goal is to win the conference," said Heinauer. "No Mars team has ever won a conference title outright.

"But it's going to be tough right from the start. Laurel and Riverside are the two best teams in the conference entering the season."

If Mars does get to postseason play, it will look to have a better showing than last year's quick exit after a 36-7 loss to Burrell in the first round of the WPIAL Class AA playoffs.