MURRYSVILLE — Mars coach Scott Heinauer hates complacency.

He saw it first hand in the Planets' Allegheny Conference matchup against Franklin Regional Friday.

After cruising to a 29-0 third-quarter lead, the Panthers made a valiant comeback, going on scoring drives of 79, 74 and 67 yards — with all three scores coming in the final four offensive plays — to make it a two-possession game early in the fourth quarter.

The Planets' defense, however, finally closed the door and held on for a 36-21 victory.

"I think the kids played a great game, but the kids relaxed," said Heinauer. "You can't let them back in the game."

Mars had limited the Panthers to 67 first-half yards while building a 22-0 advantage.

When the Planets (4-2, 1-1) drove 69 yards on 11 plays to open the second half, the final play being a Shane Kaclik 4-yard score, Mars opened a seemingly comfortable 29-point lead.

Apparently, a little too comfortable.

Franklin Regional coach Greg Botta opened up the passing game and senior quarterback Anthony Vendemia was happy to oblige. He led the Panthers on a 12-play, 79-yard drive of their own, calling his own number on a 4-yard score.

Mars answered when, starting at its own 35-yard line, Austin Miele broke free for a 43-yard run, Kaclik added a 3-yarder, then Brake scored from 19 yards out to give Mars a 36-7 lead with 1:36 left in the third quarter.

Vendemia went right back to work, connecting on a 43-yard pass to Josh Staniscia. On the next play, he completed a 31-yard scoring strike to D.J. Capezzuto in the end zone. The damage was two plays, 74 yards in 37 seconds.

"D.J.'s been playing with a lot of injuries," said Botta. "He probably shouldn't be playing, but I can't keep him off the field. He and Anthony worked out all summer. He's had clutch catches down the stretch."

After six plays netted 17 yards and forced Mars to punt, Vendemia needed just one play, a 67-yard completion to Staniscia down the left sideline, to make it 36-21 with 9:45 remaining.

Vendemia finished with 276 yards passing, including 149 on seven catches by Staniscia and 93 on six catches by Capezzuto.

"You can see how quick they can strike. (Vendemia's) a great quarterback and he's got good receivers," Heinauer said.

Mars tried to keep the clock running, but on its next two possessions, first downs on the third play were negated by holding penalties and Mars was forced to punt.

The Panthers (4-2, 1-1) tried to make one final push with 2:02 remaining, but Brake intercepted Vendemia on the first play and the Planets ran out the clock.

In all, Mars rushed 54 times for 276 yards, 164 of which came in the first half. Mars scored on three of its four possessions. The other, a 36-yard field goal attempt by Chris Karns, was blocked.

Don King was the target of a 46-yard completion, then John Brake added a pair of 1-yard scoring runs, the latter with eight seconds left in the first half, to build the 22-0 lead.

Notes: In the first half, Mars' starting field position average was its own 44-yard line; Franklin Regional was its own 19 ... Miele led all rushers with 142 yards on 11 carries. Kaclik added 127 and Brake 82 for the Planets ... The Panthers finished with 43 yards rushing.