HAMPTON TWP — Owen Nearhoof was kicking himself.

The pass from the Mars quarterback fell into the hands of Hampton defensive back Jon Floss in the end zone at the end of the first half, quashing a golden opportunity for the Planets to build on their 7-3 lead.

“Any time you make a mistake, it's tough,” Nearhoof said. “You feel so bad, like you let the team down.”

But Nearhoof shrugged off the miscue and the Mars coaching staff showed confidence in the senior quarterback to call a pass play on the second play of the Planets' opening drive of the third quarter.

That pass, a perfectly thrown ball into the waiting hands of Garrett Ashbaugh on a dead run, resulted in a 50-yard touchdown and a 10-point lead sent Mars on its way to a 25-10 win over Hampton and the Greater Allegheny Conference title Friday night.

“When the team and the coaches have all the confidence in the world in you, when they call on you to make a big play, it's awesome,” Nearhoof said.

The awesome feeling translated to the postgame celebration on the Fridley Field turf. A 21-0 loss to Knoch two weeks ago put the section title in jeopardy and a loss to the Talbots could have spelled doom for Mars, potentially dropping it from the top spot to fourth in the section.

But Mars (8-1, 7-1) responded to the challenge.

So did Nearhoof.

“You have to have some thick skin,” said Mars coach Scott Heinauer. “There's going to be mistakes. But what happens after those mistakes is going to be the key. I can't be more proud of our kids.”

It doesn't hurt to have a 6-foot-1, 225-pound battering ram of a running back in Josh Schultheis.

The Mars sophomore rushed for 172 yards on 34 bullish runs and scored two touchdowns.

His first from 2 yards out capped a nine-play, 72-yard drive that put the Planets ahead 7-0 early in the second quarter.

Hampton (7-2, 6-2), though, had a chance to even the score with a first-and-goal at the 1 on the ensuing drive, but the shotgun snap to running back Frank Bello in the wildcat formation soared over his head. By the time he flopped on the football, it was a 14-yard loss.

The Talbots had to settle for a 25-yard field goal from Jon Nigro.

“They hit a big pass play and we had the ball at the 1 and snapped the ball over the kid's head,” said Hampton coach Jacque DeMatteo. “Those were two big plays in the game.”

The big pass play was Nearhoof's touchdown to Ashbaugh that put Mars up 13-3 less than a minute into the third quarter.

Hampton responded to that score, too, with a 32-yard touchdown strike from Nigro to Floss that cut the lead to 13-10.

But that's when Schultheis took over.

Schultheis carried the ball 20 times for 92 yards in the second half. His 3-yard score midway through the fourth quarter gave the Planets a 19-10 lead.

“His combination of speed and strength — he just runs kids over and keeps going — is fun to watch,” Nearhoof said. “It makes my job easier.”

Schultheis got big chunks of his yardage on a play that is called 38 toss.

With 1 minute left in the game, Mars decided to unleash a trick play set up by the 38 toss. Schultheis took the pitch, pulled up and threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to Ashbaugh to put the game most decidedly away.

“They didn't expect it at all,” Schultheis said. “Mr. Heinauer knew it was going to be a good play to run. They bit on it and Garrett was open.”

Schultheis, though, prefers to stick with moving the ball with his legs, something he has done quite well this season to the tune of 1,379 yards in nine games and 23 touchdowns.

“You just have to be ready to take the ball and push it to the end of the game,” Schultheis said. “I just play to the whistle.”

Mars' defense was equally impressive against the Talbots.

Hampton managed just 48 yards rushing and the Planets picked off Nigro and backup quarterback Ryan Luther three times.

Luther played the final two drives at quarterback. DeMatteo has used Luther in spots all season.

The Planets, though, were able to contain the Talbots no matter who was taking snaps.

“I knew it was going to be a slugfest,” Heinauer said. “I think our defense stepped up to the challenge. We made some interceptions and we stopped the run. I think our defense played fantastic.”

The focus now turns to the WPIAL playoffs. As a section champion, Mars is assured a home game and will probably receive a high seed.

For now, though, the Planets will relish their section crown.

“I just want to say how proud I am of our whole team and our coaches,” Schultheis said. “It's been a great season.”