ADAMS TWP — Both Highlands and Mars have been impressive in nonconference games.

Now it's time to see how they stack up against each other.

The undefeated Golden Rams (4-0) will invade the Mars Athletic Complex at 7 p.m. Thursday for a Greater Allegheny Conference opener.

The game will be televised live by FSP.

Both teams are coming off road wins against Quad A teams. Highlands defeated Kiski Area 48-31 and the Planets (3-1) overwhelmed Fox Chapel 35-14.

The Rams offense was nearly unstoppable against the Cavaliers, racking up more than 350 rushing yards and six touchdowns.

The scoring runs included jaunts of 68, 54, 38 and 26 yards.

Junior wide receiver Ernest Stewart (160) and senior running back Bill Devlin (102) combined for 262 rushing yards.

Stewart's speed allows the Rams to attack opposing defenses from multiple formations, as evidenced by his great rushing performance last week even though he's a wide receiver.

Highlands returned only three offensive starters from last year's squad that went 8-3 overall and lost to Knoch in the WPIAL Class AAA quarterfinals: running back- linebacker Devlin, quarterback Jeff Sinclair and left tackle Nate Hargraves.

"The rest of our guys have done a good job buying into the system," said Rams coach Sam Albert.

Sinclair has the ability to make plays with his arm and his legs.

"We think of him as a dual threat," said Albert.

"Sinclair is a dangerous football player," said Mars coach Scott Heinauer. "He's the kind of guy, if they need a big play late in the game, he's going to be involved somehow."

The Rams' other wins came against Fox Chapel (24-16), Montour (20-12) and Pine-Richland (14-0).

The Planets will bring a formidable ground attack of their own into the game.

Senior Shane Kaclik (549 yards, four touchdowns) and sophomore Austin Miele (297, two) have combined for 846 yards and six scores.

But with any running game, it all starts up front.

For the Planets, that's center Nolan Nearhoof, left tackle Chad Nelson, right tackle Brody Evanson, and a combination of guards Nevan O'Donnell, Dylan Bear and Ian Schauer.

Dan King and Colin Brown have split time at tight end and have contributed to the running game.

"I think our line has done very well," said Heinauer. "(Most) of them have a year of experience from last season, and I think that helps."

The difference in size up front between the two teams concerns Albert.

"Mars is an excellent football team and they're a lot bigger than us up front," he said.

For Mars, its first season at Class AAA has provided one more wrinkle.

"In years past, we've always been in a situation where you start the season off playing conference games," Heinauer said. "Now, we've already played four games, but the ones that really count start now.

"No matter how well teams played in the first four games, making the playoffs all comes down to how you play over the next five."

***Watch for Butler Eagle Videographer, Brandon Gerthoffer, at this game!***