Mars running back Austin Miele has his jersey ripped off his back by a Franklin Regional player while ripping off some yards during last season's matchup. The Planets will lean on the senior again in 2010.

ADAMS TWP — To most football fans and players, summer practices are a boring way to pass the time until the real games begin.

But Scott Heinauer knows how to make use of them.

Through one week of practice, the veteran Mars coach knew that his defense was ahead of his offense.

For a team whose offense thrives on running the ball out of the Wing-T, the unit needed more work.

"Our offensive line's play wasn't that good through the first few practices," Heinauer said. "We return just one starter (Dylan Bear at right guard) and we are concerned. But we'll keep working at it."

Along with Bear, the projected starting lineup up front includes Cameron Cress (center), Shane Cress and A.J. Rodriguez (tackles), either Austin Bitzer or Connor Biggs (left guard), and either Mike Marchese or Brian Cassidy (tight end).

Returning as the linchpin of the Planets' ground game is senior fullback Austin Miele, who has gained more than 1,000 yards rushing in each of the last two years.

He ran for 1,218 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2009 despite missing portions of four games.

Barring injury, Miele will crack the top five of the school's career rushing list.

But he has his sights set on something else.

"Team goals come first," he said. "We're going after another conference championship and it would be great to go deeper in the playoffs."

Mars has reached the WPIAL quarterfinals in each of the past four seasons, but has failed to go any further.

Seniors Seth Geyer and Josh Pinkerton will man the two wingback positions, while senior Eric Guzak will be the quarterback.

"Eric knows the offense better this year and what we need him to do from a mechanical standpoint," said Heinauer. "He's more composed now and will get first crack at the starting job."

Sophomore Jacob Wright has also shown promise in camp and will be Guzak's backup.

Seniors Aaron Lozzi and Brad Weischedel will see time at wide receiver.

The Planets return five starters on defense: Bear at tackle, Miele at outside linebacker, Geyer at inside backer, Pinkerton at cornerback and Lozzi at free safety.

Geyer led the team in tackles in 2009 with 95 (72 solo).

"When you have your linebackers back, that's a big factor," said Heinauer. "In our defense, they make most of the tackles and they're big and physical, and that helps.

"We have looked very good on defense," he added. "We've been better than we were the last few years this early in the season."

Junior Ryan Gralish will be the kicker and Lozzi the punter.