Unbalanced victory
ADAMS TWP — Friday the 13th didn't bring horror to the Mars football team, as it sits atop the Tri-County Conference standings with Laurel.
The Planets (6-1, 5-1) defeated winless conference opponent Neshannock 34-0 despite a sluggish offensive performance Friday evening.
Mars lost four fumbles to the Lancers, but the Planetsdefense was strong all evening, holding Neshannock to 114 total yards of offense.
"I thought our defense played well," Mars coach Scott Heinauer said. "They were put in some situations they didn't need to be in. I am not pleased with the offensive effort."
"They have a good football team," Neshannock coach Rob Nogay said. "They are the best team in the conference."
Mars' offense fumbled the ball on its own 20, at the Neshannock 15-, 41- and 44- yard lines.
But the Planets' defense stopped all four Lancers' possessions and got some luck along the way.
Neshannock moved the ball to the Mars 8, but stalled. It attempted a field goal, but it sailed wide.
"We are playing hard, we aren't finishing," Nogay said. "When you pick up a fumble on the 5- or 6-yard line, you have to put it in."
Mars' defense clamped down even more in the fourth quarter, forcing three turnovers to preserve the shutout.
After Mars grabbed a 27-0 lead one minute into the fourth quarter, Neshannock's offense turned the ball over in three straight possessions. Mars' Scott Brettell recovered a fumble and Josh Keil and Carroll Smith intercepted two passes. Smith returned his pick 72 yards for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter.
"The defense came up big when it had to come up big," Heinauer said. "I'm not happy with execution on offense. We have to concentrate."
Mars moved the ball 72 yards on five plays on the game's opening drive to grab a 6-0 lead, but the offense was sluggish after that.
Heinauer was concerned that his team might overlook the winless Lancers entering the game.
"The kids tend to be a little at ease," Heinauer said. "Fortunately, we were able to overcome these things."
Senior running back Josh Keil led with Mars 86 yards on 10 carries and three touchdowns. He opening the scoring in the first quarter with a 25-yard score and added runs of 8 and 6 yards 2:48 apart in the second half.
Mars' leading rusher Billy Bair, playing with flu-like symptoms, ran for 80 yards on 19 carries.
Heinauer is poised to have his team better prepared for next week's game with Summitt Academy (3-3, 3-2).
"Summit has been playing well," he said. "We need to tighten our straps up and play our kind of football. Offensively, we have a lot of work to do again."
