WEST MIFFLIN — Just one big play.

That's what Mars was looking for in its WPIAL Class AAA first-round football playoff game against West Mifflin Friday.

However, the Planets, never found it and when Luke Centofanti pulled in a 22-yard pass from Derrick Fulmore with 3:32 remaining, that sealed a 21-8 loss at Titans Stadium.

Mars (6-4) mustered just 31 total yards in the second half and just 64 yards after the first play of its second possession of the game.

“The story was the big play,” Mars coach Scott Heinauer said. “We had an opportunity and we didn't come through in crucial points.”

“Our defense played well,” said West Mifflin coach Ray Braszo. “That's basically what won the game. Kevin Clarke had a great game with the two interceptions.”

A steady stream of Shamar Greene also keyed the Titans (9-1), who rushed for 224 yards on 33 carries, 65 yards coming on the third play of the game to give West Mifflin the early 7-0 lead.

Mars responded with an impressive 11-play, 65-yard drive, capped by an Elliott Woodward 15-yard reception from Owen Nearhoof with six minutes left in the first quarter.

Garrett Ashbaugh would pick off a Derrick Fulmore pass on the ensuing Titans possession.

Alex Smith tore off a 16-yard run on the first play to give Mars a first down at its own 48, but the Mars offense sputtered the rest of the game.

The Titans took the lead for good when Clarke scored from 25 yards out with 8:23 left before halftime.

“We missed some blocks, some tackles and had some penalties and you can't succeed when that happens,” Heinauer noted.

One plus for the young Planets was the defense forced the Titans to turn the ball over on downs three consecutive possessions in the second half.

“That was great,” Heinauer said. “I talked to the kids at halftime that we are in this game.”

It was almost a fourth consecutive time when the Titans had a fourth-and-12 at the Mars 22 before Centofanti outleaped Nearhoof in the end zone for the insurance touchdown.

“Mars is a well-coached team,” Braszo said. “Their scheme is tough with the Wing-T. We could move the ball, but couldn't move it past the 30-yard line.”

The Titans did enough to move on to the quarterfinals, where they will face Montour, which defeated Chartiers Valley in its first-round matchup.

Heinauer hopes this year was a learning experience for his underclassmen, something they can carry over into next season.

“I feel bad for our seniors,” Heinauer said. “This was a game we could've won. They played their hearts out.”

Notes: Freshman Josh Schultheis led Mars with 52 yards on 17 carries and Woodward caught all three of Nearhoof's passes for 46 yards.