ADAMS TWP — It's an intriguing football matchup, and not just because of the playoff setting.

When Mars hosts Valley in a WPIAL Class AA first-round playoff at 7:30 p.m. Friday, it will mark the first-ever meeting between the two teams.

Both squads enter the contest riding sizable winning streaks.

Since losing to New Brighton Sept. 21, the Planets (8-1) have reeled off five straight wins, four of them coming by at least 23 points.

The Vikings (7-2), who placed third in the Allegheny Conference, were victorious in their last four games, outscoring their opponents 118-32 in the process.

"I actually didn't know where we'd be at this point in the season back in August," said fourth-year Valley coach Troy Hill. "We lost a lot of good players from last year's (7-3) team.

"But I think we've done pretty well to be where we're at now."

Valley has run several offensive sets this season, including the spread, power-I and wishbone. The Planets defense could see all three Friday night.

"At the beginning of the season, our passing game was way ahead of our running game," Hill said. "But over the last few weeks, our running game has been catching up."

In last week's 29-8 win over Burrell, the Vikings received 132 rushing yards and three touchdowns from senior back Tracey Booker.

"He has 784 yards on 99 carries this season and he seems to be the guy who's come through for us," said Hill.

The Mars defense has surrendered 1,106 rushing yards on 264 attempts, a 4.2 yard average, but that includes the New Brighton game in which the Planets gave up 332 yards on 36 carries. Other than that, the run-stopping unit has been solid.

Of the 22 touchdowns given up by Mars this season, 13 of them have come through the air.

"I think we've done pretty well against the rush this season," said Planets coach Scott Heinauer. "It's against the pass where we still have work to do."

The Vikings have used two quarterbacks this season — senior Garrett Sekanick and junior Pat Petit — and both should see time in Friday's game.

Making plays downfield will be wide receivers Anthony Saunders and Brad Marzullo.

On defense, the Vikings will take their shot at stopping, or at least containing, Planets fullback Bill Bair.

Bair's lowest rushing yards total this season was 155 against Summit Academy.

Doing the dirty work up front for Mars on Friday will be center Nolan Nearhoof, left guard Ed Gaw, either Dylan Bear or Ian Schauer at right guard, Chad Nelson at left tackle, Brody Maughan-Evanson at right tackle and Dan King at tight end.

Along with being the Planets' wingback, junior Shane Kaclik has also punted since an injury to Ryan Schroth early in the year.

Kaclik has averaged 32 yards per punt on 15 attempts, many of them coming near midfield.

On offense, Kaclik has gained 484 rushing yards and has scored nine total touchdowns.

"He probably didn't figure he'd be punting back in August and I think he's done great," said Heinauer of Kaclik.

Sophomore Christopher Karns handles the kicking duties for the Planets, who are averaging 36.4 points per game.