Mars fullback Austin Miele breaks an arm tackle by Knoch's Mitchell Shaw on the way to a good gain during the Planets 28-0 win over the Knights last week. Mars, in its first season in Class AAA, will travel to Chartiers Valley to take on the Colts Friday night in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs.

He's a freshman, but Wayne Capers is a dangerous player nonetheless.

The Chartiers Valley quarterback will be making his third varsity start at the position Friday when the Colts host Mars in a WPIAL Class AAA first-round playoff game.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Capers, the son of former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Wayne Capers, was forced into the position when senior quarterback Santino Coury sustained a season-ending injury earlier this month.

In last week's 37-7 regular season finale victory at Albert Gallatin, Capers passed for 137 yards and two touchdowns and also ran for two scores.

While he may be new to signal calling, Capers, who stands 6-feet-1 and weighs 175 pounds, knows the offense.

"He was one of our starting wide receivers in our spread offense," said veteran Colts' coach Chris Saluga. "When he took over at quarterback, we lost a step and are still looking to regain our offensive momentum.

"He's not your typical freshman," Saluga added of Capers. "He can throw the ball 65 yards. I haven't coached a player with more potential."

Containing Capers will be a focal point of the Mars defense.

"I've seen tapes of their last two games," said Planets' coach Scott Heinauer, including the Albert Gallatin win and a 21-20 win over Elizabeth Forward Oct. 17. "For a ninth grade kid to come in and start at quarterback, that's asking a lot. But he's a good athlete. His dad played in the NFL."

The Colts (7-2) are hoping fullback Jim Riley and halfback Beau Carson can gain yards on the ground to lessen the burden on Capers.

Last week, Carson caught both of his quarterback's touchdown tosses and Riley scored a rushing touchdown.

"They've got big kids who are physical," said Heinauer of the Colts. "There's going to be some adversity in this game and I think which team handles it better will determine who wins."

One player who will have a hand in keeping the Colts off the scoreboard is Mars senior strong safety Garrett Smith, who is among the WPIAL leaders in interceptions with six.

"He's come up with a lot of big plays for us and seems to have a nose for the football," said Heinauer.

That ability was on display last week when Smith recovered a muffed punt, as the Planets scored touchdowns on their first three possessions and never looked back in a 28-0 home win over Knoch.

Smith has also totaled 23 tackles for the Planets (6-3) this year from his position in the secondary.

Saluga is in his eighth season as head coach at Chartiers Valley.

The Colts have now made the playoffs six straight years.

"We had just five starters returning from last year's team," he said. "We expected to be here, but I'm still proud of the kids' effort."