Mars running back Billy Bair looks for some running room during a 2006 game. Bair began his 2007 campaign in fine fashion, rushing for 222 yards and three TDs against Laurel.

Riverside's defense and Mars' offense both had their way with their respective opponents last week.

Now they will get the chance to do it again ... against each other.

The Planets will kick off their 2007 home schedule by hosting the Panthers at 7:30 p.m. Friday in a crucial early season battle in the Tri-County North Conference.

Riverside allowed just 18 yards of offense in a 27-0 blanking of Shenango last Friday, including minus-13 yards in the second half.

Mars, on the other hand, rolled up 377 rushing yards in a 39-14 win over Laurel. That total included 222 yards from fullback Bill Bair and another 140 yards from wingback Shane Kaclik.

The two backs scored all six of the Planets' touchdowns.

"Everybody talks about Bair, but in my opinion, Kaclik is just as good," said Riverside coach Jesse Rosenberger. "Mars is a team that wants you to make the big mistake. Hopefully, if we play disciplined defense, we'll be successful."

Though the subplot of a great offense meeting a stingy defense is intriguing, there's much more than that riding on this contest.

"When you're dealing with kids, you're putting a lot of burden on them when you say that this game will be the difference when it comes to the conference title," said veteran Planets' coach Scott Heinauer. "But that could very well be the case."

Aside from the superb effort Mars received from its offensive line, opening holes for Kaclik and Bair, the Planets also got very efficient play from junior quarterback John Brake, who completed all four passes he attempted for 71 yards.

"We actually ran six pass plays," said Heinauer. "(Brake) got sacked on two of them and he completed the other four. We're still looking to keep it simple for him."

One area in which Heinauer hopes to improve is the kicking game, where senior Ryan Schroth missed three of five extra point attempts last week.

"Ryan was coming off an injured ankle," said Heinauer. "He did not have a great day with the extra points. That happens."

Riverside's defense is led by its secondary, which includes four returning starters in cornerbacks Justin McKenna and Codi Jackson and safeties Justin King and Jake Wickline.

But it's on offense where Wickline makes the biggest impression.

The four-year starter totaled 131 yards on 16 carries and scored three times in the victory over Shenango.

As a junior in 2006, Wickline ran for 1,281 yards and scored 13 touchdowns.

"He runs with power and speed and he makes very good cuts," said Rosenberger of his top ground-gainer. "He's a very good football player, one of the best around."

Since moving to the Tri-County North in 2004, Mars is 3-0 against the Panthers, winning last year's contest 20-13.

To see video highlights of this game, log on to www.butlereagle.com and click on Gridiron