Planets' defense won't rest when Knoch has ball
ADAMS TWP — The irresistible force is about to meet the immovable object.
Knoch's record-setting offense and Mars' suffocating defense will battle Saturday in what will be each unit's stiffest test yet.
The Knights have scored 47 offensive touchdowns in eight games and are averaging 389 yards per contest.
"Their offensive line does a great job, and they can run and throw the ball well," said Mars coach Scott Heinauer.
But Mars has recorded some impressive numbers of its own.
The Planets have shut out their last three opponents, and they haven't given up a point since a 16-6 win over Kittanning Oct. 1.
The Mars starting defense is allowing only 6.3 points per game.
"Our defensive line has been doing a good job of shutting things down up front," said Mars senior cornerback Josh Pinkerton. "Some teams think they can get the deep ball on us, but we've been shutting that down, too. The secondary has been getting (interceptions).
"Everybody's staying on their assignment," he added.
The Planets have forced 17 turnovers on eight interceptions and nine fumbles.
Both Mars and Knoch rolled through Greater Allegheny Conference play and most people could see that the teams were on a collision course to decide the conference title.
But the Planets stayed focused.
"Our coaches are always telling us to take it one game at a time," said senior defensive end Dylan Bear. "Each conference game is as important as the next."
Still, the players expected this week's practices to have a different feel to them.
"They're going to be pretty serious," senior linebacker Seth Geyer said Tuesday. "Knoch's a good team. They're undefeated.
"There's a lot of hype this week and we have to stay under control and listen to the coaches," added Geyer.
The Mars defense, which allows just over 226 total yards per game, has been particularly stingy in the second quarter, when the Planets have outscored their opponents 90-9.
Though Knoch's offense is far from one-dimensional, containing junior halfback Andrew Rumburg-Goodlin (924 yards and 16 touchdowns) is vital.
"He's fast and quick," said Heinauer. "In the open field, he's very dangerous."
Knoch is the only team standing in the way of Mars' number one goal.
"We want to win the section," said Pinkerton.
The rest of the Planets' starting defense will include linemen Shane Cress and Chris Panza, linebackers Austin Miele, Elliot Woodward and Billy Shrock, cornerback Jacob Wright and safeties Aaron Lozzi and Brad Weischedel.
