VALENCIA — They take different routes, but the destination is the same.

The members of the Mars High boys golf team each have their individual strengths. Some are good off the tee. Some have great feel around the green. Some can drain putts as a matter of routine.

In the end, it all translates into low scores.

The Planets have been playing a game of "how low can you go" all season.

"This is the best overall team I have had," said Mars golf coach Tim Tyler, who is in his ninth season. "I never had the two, three, five consistent golfers like I have now."

Make that eight.

Three Mars golfers are posting average scores in the 30s. Two others are just a hair over 40 and the eighth-place golfer on the roster is turning in scorecards with numbers in the low 40s.

Senior Jason Fitzpatrick is leading the way with a 38.55 average. Derek Hillegas is at 38.82 and Christian Locher is averaging 39.

They all have different strengths and few weaknesses.

"I hit it pretty far, and I hit my irons pretty well," Fitzpatrick said. "Then you have Christian, who is a real good ball striker. He hits the ball perfect every time. It just comes down to how he is putting. And then Derek, he doesn't hit the ball very far, but he makes every long putt."

The balance has allowed Mars to post a 9-1 record. The Planets' only loss came to Kittanning on Monday, when they posted their highest score of the season at 200.

"We shot our second-best round of the year the next day," Fitzpatrick said.

That was a 193 against Hampton. Four of the team's five scores were in the 30s.

The lowest score of the season was a 190. In that match, the highest score was a 40.

"It takes a lot of pressure off," Hillegas said. "You know you don't always have to be the No. 1 guy. You can rely on every else. Everyone has a bad round every once in awhile."

There haven't been many bad rounds for the Planets, who play their home matches at Rittswood Golf Course.

Many of the players work during the summer at various golf courses and play on youth tours. All that extra playing has resulted in all that success.

"It's a real big benefit," said senior Brendan Blakeney. "Obviously, we don't play much in the winter. But when summer rolls around, we work at courses and get a chance to play for free somewhere. It's nice to know we can go to the range any time we want."

With the WPIAL playoffs beginning next week, the Planets might be legitimate contenders for a title.

"If they all hit on the same day, absolutely," Tyler said. "They are all capable of shooting 73, 74."

Ultimately, though, the season ends with the individual tournaments.

Fitzpatrick said that the emphasis now is on the team. But when it comes time to qualify for the PIAA tournament, their experience as a team will help them.

"We all go out to try to shoot low scores, but it's about the team and about winning now," Fitzpatrick said. "It definitely helps you a lot (for the individual season). You are playing every day. It gets you in the right frame of mind."