ADAMS TWP — Mars football coach Scott Heinauer has been around long enough to know that playing this late in the season is promised to no one.

The Planets will take on undefeated Montour in a WPIAL Class AAA semifinal at Chartiers Valley High at 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The winner earns a spot in the championship game at Heinz Field Nov. 27.

Mars (10-1) has made it to the semifinals twice before, winning in Class AA play in 1996 against Laurel and in 2002 over Beaver.

“You don't take these opportunities for granted,” said Heinauer. “Offensively and defensively, we have players who know their roles.

“You can't have 10 guys doing things the right way and one guy doing it his own way,” he added. “You're not going to be successful that way. We have guys who play within the system.”

Montour survived a 21-13, first-round scare from West Mifflin before crushing Indiana last week 36-14.

The Spartans (11-0) will bring a spread, no-huddle offense into the game.

Junior quarterback Dillon Buechel has passed for 1,741 yards, 20 touchdowns and three interceptions.

His top two targets are Devin Wilson (43 catches for 644 yards and 11 TDs) and Darren Massey (36-546-7).

But possibly Montour's most valuable player on offense is junior halfback Julian Durden.

The transfer from North Catholic has tallied 1,796 rushing yards, is averaging 8.1 yards per carry and has scored a total of 25 touchdowns.

In last week's win over Indiana, Durden ran for 170 yards and a score.

“Every team has a go-to guy, but we feel that we have several options,” said Montour coach Lou Cerro, who is in his sixth season with the team. “We have some special players.”

Montour's offensive line is led by three two-year starters: right tackle Dom Martinelli (6-4, 275), right guard Eddie Martin (6-2, 275) and left tackle Austin Heter (6-5, 255).

But Mars' defense has been shutting down potent offensive attacks.

In the team's last three games against Knoch, Hollidaysburg and West Allegheny, the Planets' starting defense has surrendered a combined 21 points.

“Mars is a very aggressive team on defense,” said Cerro. “They get after the quarterback and tackle well.”

In last week's 29-3 win over West Allegheny, the Indians couldn't match the Planets' physical play.

“Our kids' play didn't surprise us at all,” said Heinauer. “We have not played that way every single game, but I'd say 80 percent of the time we have.”

Mars senior fullback Austin Miele rushed for 180 yards last week and now has 4,001 in his career.

In Montour's 4-3 defense, senior linebacker Evan Pass leads the team in tackles with 11 per game.

Friday's other WPIAL Class AAA semifinal is Thomas Jefferson (10-1) against Central Valley (8-3). at North Allegheny.