ADAMS TWP — Whether or not the Mars High football team makes the WPIAL playoffs for the seventh straight season will be decided in Weeks 8 and 9 in games against Valley and Knoch, respectively.

But before that, the Planets (4-2 overall) have a tune-up game against Butler Friday night.

Kickoff will be at 7:30 p.m. at the Mars Athletic Complex.

Mars will be looking to get back on the winning side of things after losing 14-11 at Highlands last Friday.

Both of the Golden Rams’ touchdowns were set up by muffed punts.

“Our defense played well, but you can’t give your opponent the ball at your 10-yard line and your 30-yard line,” said Planets’ coach Scott Heinauer. “We’re going back to basics. If you don’t have the fundamentals, you can’t build on anything.”

The Golden Tornado (2-4) enter the contest on a three-game losing streak after falling to Northern Seven Conference foes Pine-Richland (35-0), Shaler (34-6) and North Hills (38-0).

Butler is under the direction of first-year head coach Clyde Conti, who took over a program that was mired in a 23-game losing streak before the team defeated New Castle 24-14 in Week 1 this season.

Butler’s other win came against Canon-McMillan (16-6 in Week 3).

“Clyde is a very enthusiastic person,” said Heinauer, who coached with Conti at an East-West all-star game in Altoona several years ago. “He cares about the kids and he knows how to build a program. Butler’s got the right guy, but it’s not going to happen overnight.”

Butler’s offense is led by junior fullback Bob Vernick’s 244 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

In last week’s loss to North Hills, sophomore quarterback Tom Jendesky completed five of 10 pass attempts for 60 yards.

According to Heinauer, the most difficult aspect of facing Butler’s offense is guessing what scheme the Tornado will use.

“They showed several different looks on the tapes I saw, including an I-formation and the mid-line option,” he said. “The only thing we can do is show our kids what they’ve run so far and do our best to prepare for it.”

Offensively, Mars’ sophomore quarterback Owen Nearhoof has thrown for 601 yards, three touchdowns and five interceptions.

Wideout Jacob Wright and tight end Brian Cassidy are tied for the team lead with nine receptions apiece. Wright’s grabs have gone for 140 yards and a pair of scores.

With his 125-yard rushing effort last week, Mars sophomore fullback Jason Lozzi now has 572 yards. He also has scored seven touchdowns on the ground.

“He doesn’t have 4.5 speed, but he’s done well for us this year,” said Heinauer.

Mars defeated Butler last season 40-0.