What a difference one game can make.

This time last week the Mars High football team was licking its wounds following a season-opening loss to Moon.

But the Planets rebounded with a 29-24 win over Quad A Pine-Richland last Friday.

Mars coach Scott Heinauer was pleased with his team's effort against the Rams, but knows when it comes to making the WPIAL Class AAA playoffs, his team has yet to be tested.

"We're hoping we can carry the momentum from last week into conference play," he said. "Those first two games don't mean anything, as far as the playoffs go."

The Planets' quest to qualify for postseason play for the sixth straight season begins at 7 p.m. Thursday, when they open Greater Allegheny Conference play at Hampton.

Heinauer said he saw marked improvement along the offensive line in Week 2.

"We did a better job of blocking up front," he said. "When we play our style of football, that means holding onto the ball."

After rushing for 81 yards against Moon, senior fullback Austin Miele tallied 163 yards and two scores in the win over Pine-Richland.

Mars is used to scoring on the ground. Touchdowns through the air come far less frequently in the Planets' Wing-T scheme.

But senior wideout Aaron Lozzi has caught a scoring pass in each of the first two games, including a 72-yard strike from Eric Guzak in the third quarter last week.

In the first two weeks, Hampton (0-2) lost to Blackhawk (14-10) and Ringgold (37-9).

Against the latter, the Talbots' defense surrendered five rushing scores, including two touchdowns and 101 yards on the ground from Ringgold running back Quad Law.

Under coach Jacque DeMatteo, who previously coached at Shaler, Hampton has proved to be resilient.

But last season, the team surprised many by reaching the WPIAL semifinals after posting playoff wins over Chartiers Valley and Uniontown.

The Talbots return 12 starters from that squad, including senior quarterback Phil Powell, who passed for 793 yards and six touchdowns in 2009.

On defense, the Talbots' 50 scheme will be put to the test.

"Mars is the only team in the conference that runs the Wing-T," said DeMatteo. "We have to read our keys because they create a lot of deception."

Hampton beat Mars in the 2009 regular season, 10-7.

Freeport (1-1, 0-0) at SHADY SIDE ACADEMY (1-1, 0-0) 7:30 p.m., Thursday

The coaches: Freeport, John Gaillot (third year, 15-7), Shady Side Academy, Dave Havern (seventh year)

Last week: Freeport defeated Quaker Valley, 57-0; Shady Side Academy fell to Seton-LaSalle, 49-12

The numbers: Freeport rolled up 361 yards rushing against the Quakers, including 161 on five carries and three touchdown by Marcel Ittner and 74 yards on eight carries and three scores by Jake Campbell. ... Reggie Mitchell threw a touchdown pass to Nick Loyacona and Jared Brevard returned a kickoff 90 yards the other score.

Notes: Freeport lost to Shady Side Academy 20-14 last year as the two squads finished the season as co-Allegheny Conference champions. ... Mitchell combined to throw and rush for 1,100 yards last season ... The Indians return four starters on both sides of the ball.