ADAMS TWP — Mars' football team had little trouble with Hampton last season in a 28-6 win.

Planets' coach Scott Heinauer is expecting a stiffer test come Friday night.

The Talbots and Planets will battle at the Mars Athletic Complex, beginning with a 7:30 p.m. kickoff. It will be the Greater Allegheny Conference opener for both teams.

Heinauer was impressed with Hampton's 21-14 victory over Ringgold last Friday.

“Ringgold is a very talented football team,” he said. “They are supposed to be one of the top-five teams in (WPIAL) Class AAA and Hampton took it to them.”

Hampton went 2-7 overall in 2010 and missed the WPIAL playoffs.

“They're a physical team, but also have more speed than last year,” Heinauer said of the Talbots.

Leading the way for Hampton (1-1) last week was running back Anthony Bianco, who had 119 yards and two touchdowns on 28 attempts.

Through two games, the Planets have had their own workhorse in the backfield in Jason Lozzi.

The sophomore fullback has rushed the ball 49 times for 198 yards and four scores.

“He needs to improve a bit on his speed, but he runs very hard,” Heinauer said. “He's also a smart kid.”

The Planets (2-0) came away from Pine-Richland with a 21-20 triumph last week.

“We fought hard and played well enough to win and those are good characteristics for a football team to have,” said Heinauer, “but we need to play better to beat Hampton.

“We're happy to be 2-0, but now the games count toward the playoffs,” he added.

Hampton coach Jacque DeMatteo could not be reached for comment.

Knoch (2-0) at Valley (0-1) 7:30 p.m., FridayThe coaches: Knoch, Mike King; Valley, Mark Kaczanowicz

Last week: The Knights rolled past Albert Gallatin, 56-8, while Valley's scheduled game at Hollidaysburg was canceled.

The numbers: The Knights have outscored their first two opponents 92-8 and blanked Valley 62-0 last year. ... Knoch QB Ky Kenyon connected on all five of his passes last week for 100 yards. ... Valley is riding a 15-game losing streak, dating back to 2009.

Notes: Kaczanowicz is in his first year at Valley and was formerly head coach at Freeport and Indiana. ... The Vikings run a multiple offense with one and two-back sets and occasional spread formations. ... Valley dropped its opener to Class AA Burrell, 23-16, in overtime, after rallying from a 16-0 deficit in the final quarter. ... Knoch had 10 different runners carry the football last week. ... The Knights' Alex Strezeski scored TDs on both sides of the ball against Albert Gallatin, returning an interception to the end zone and catching a TD pass.

Slippery Rock (1-1, 1-0) at DuBois (2-0, 1-0) Friday, 7 p.m.The coaches: Slippery Rock, Brendan Hathaway; DuBois, Frank Varischetti

Last week: Slippery Rock beat Franklin 23-10; DuBois rolled past Oil City 37-12

The numbers: The Rockets snapped a 15-game losing streak with their win over the Knights last week. ... It also marked the first time in 15 games Slippery Rock's defense gave up fewer than 21 points. ... DuBois senior QB Sean Sleigh tossed a pair of touchdown passes last week against Oil City. He threw for 1,517 yards and 11 touchdowns last season as a junior. ... The Rockets have developed a potent running game early, spearheaded by RBs Chris Thomas (151 yards) and Ben Gaul (92 yards).

Notes: DuBois beat Slippery Rock 28-19 last season.

Shady Side Ac. (1-1) at Freeport (1-1) 7:30 p.m., FridayThe coaches: Shady Side Academy, Dave Havern; Freeport, John Gaillot

Last week: The Indians were blanked by Seton-La Salle 30-0 while Freeport shut out Quaker Valley 26-0.

The numbers: Last week the Indians had problems containing the Rebels' Kevin Hart, who had three touchdown runs and a kickoff return for another score. ... Damon Smith keyed Freeport's win with 131 yards on 19 carries and two touchdowns. Dalton Hubert also rushed for a touchdown and Tony Devivo returned an interception 81 yards for another one. ... Despite the shutout, Freeport only edged the Quakers in total yards, 184-137.

Notes: Shady Side Academy returns six senior starters from last year's 5-5 team, which qualified for the WPIAL Class AA playoffs. ... Leading the charge will be last year's leading rusher, passer and defensive back Reggie Mitchell, a Wisconsin recruit. ... The Yellowjackets won last year's contest, 13-10.

Union (1-1, 0-1) at Clarion (1-1, 1-0) 7 p.m., FridayThe coaches: Union, Dave Louder; Clarion, Larry Wiser

Last week: Union earned its first win of the season, beating Saegertown 30-14. Clarion was downed 20-6 by Moniteau.

The numbers: Union's Taylor Smith totaled 218 yards of offense against Saegertown with 101 through the air and 117 on the ground. ... Brody Pollock grabbed his second touchdown of the year in the win and now has six catches for 98 yards on the year. ... Bobcats' QB John Katis is 13-for-28 for 168 yards with three TDs and four interceptions this year. All four of his picks were thrown in last week's loss. ... T.J. Armstrong leads the Clarion rushing attack with 109 yards on 26 carries.

Notes: Clarion senior quarterback Brandon Heeter has not taken a snap this season due to injury. His return is questionable this week. ... Union's Week 2 victory was the earliest non-forfeit win for the Golden Knights since 2006, a 6-0 triumph over Cambridge Springs in Week 1.

Moniteau (2-0, 1-0) at Brookville (1-1, 0-1) 7 p.m., FridayThe coaches: Moniteau, Jeff Campbell; Brookville, Chris Dworek.

Last week: The Warriors beat Clarion by a 20-6 margin. The Raiders beat Keystone 36-6.

The numbers: Moniteau sophomore running back Dustin Geagan has 210 rushing yards and two scores on 24 carries. ... Moniteau wide receiver Ethan Pry has four catches for 131 yards and two TDs. ... Brookville QB Steve Kennedy is 20-for-34 for 297 yards with six TDs and two INTs.

Notes: Both teams will be hampered by injuries to standout players. Moniteau quarterback Kyle Armagost has been cleared to play, but will be limited and featured only on offense. Brookville running back Ryan Kerr is also struggling with a knee injury and if he suits up Friday, he will be signigicantly hobbled. ... Brookville beat Moniteau 19-14 in the regular season last year, before ousting the Warriors in the playoffs by a 14-7 margin.

A-C Valley (0-2) at Redbank Valley (1-1) 7 p.m., FridayThe coaches: A-C Valley, Chris McNany; Redbank Valley, Frank Fabian

Last week: A-C Valley dropped a 42-6 decision to Punxsutawney; The Bulldogs were defeated by Karns City 28-14.

The numbers: Falcons' sophomore QB Colton Cunningham has passed for 232 yards this season. ... DB Kevin Kaufman has intercepted two passes this season and returned them for a combined 55 yards. ... Redbank Valley's defense has allowed 214 passing yards and five touchdown tosses in its two games. ... Bulldogs' senior WR Keaton Delp has caught seven passes for 131 yards and three scores so far in 2011.

Notes: The Bulldogs prevailed 20-0 last year. ... After going a combined 25-9 in their first three seasons at Class A (2006-08), the Bulldogs are just 10-14 in their last 24 games.

Grove City (2-0, 1-0) at Franklin (0-2, 0-1) Friday, 7 p.m.The Coaches: Grove City, Jeff Bell; Franklin, Dave Smith

Last Week: Grove City routed Corry 77-0; Franklin lost to Slippery Rock 23-10.

The numbers: The Eagles have gained 785 yards rushing in two games this season ... On the other side of the ball, the Eagles have given up just 255 yards of total offense in two contests. ... Franklin is off to a rough start offensively, averaging 150 yards per game. ... The Knights could muster just one touchdown on a 53-yard scoring pass from QB Nick Billingsley to A.J. Cooley last week against Slippery Rock and had minus-21 yards rushing.

Notes: Grove City beat Franklin 91-12 last season. ... Last week was Billingsley's first start of the season at QB. ... The Eagles have now won 13 of their last 14 games.

Summit Academy (0-2) at Apollo-Ridge (0-2) 7:30 p.m., FridayThe coaches: Summit Academy, Steve Sherer; Apollo-Ridge, John Skiba

Last week: The Knights fell to South Fayette, 34-0; The Vikings lost to Washington, 44-13.

The numbers: Apollo-Ridge backup Zack Long replaced an injured Josh Zelonka and guided the team to its two scores, including a 43-yard hookup to Anthony Bozzelli. ... The Knights were outgained 382-103 with all but six yards coming on the ground in the loss.

Notes: The Knights prevailed 40-0 last year. ... Skiba is in his first season after a seven-year assistant coach stint at Pine-Richland.