Planets, Warriors both ready to run
ADAMS TWP — There will be no shortage of rushing attempts when Mars and Central Valley meet on the football field Friday night.
The two 9-1 teams will square off in a WPIAL Class AAA quarterfinal playoff at Ambridge High School’s Moe Rubenstein Stadium.
The Planets are averaging 327.4 yards per game on the ground, to go with 49 rushing touchdowns this season. While the Warriors’ numbers in the same categories aren’t as dramatic (227.0 and 34), it’s still a formidable attack Mars will have to contend with.
Senior running back JaQuan Pennington leads Central Valley with 762 yards on the ground, seven touchdowns and, most impressively, a 7.4 yards-per carry average. Junior Jordan Whitehead has added 547 yards and 10 scores.
“They definitely have a strong running game,” said Mars coach Scott Heinauer of the Warriors. “They have some speed-burners and like to get them the ball on the edge.”
The Warriors can make plays through the air as well, as junior quarterback John George completed 11 of 16 passes for 111 yards and a touchdown in last week’s 39-7 first-round playoff win over Belle Vernon.
Central Valley High School is the product of a consolidation between Center and Monaca high schools in Beaver County. The new school took hold in 2010 and since then, the Warriors have been very successful on the gridiron, managing a combined record of 39-9. Included with that was a WPIAL title in 2010 and trips to the district semifinals the last two seasons.
Central Valley’s lone defeat this season was a 13-7 loss to top-seeded West Allegheny Sept. 27.
While Mars’ ground game has been dominated by Josh Schultheis and Jason Lozzi, who have combined for 2,158 yards and 34 touchdowns this year, senior wingback Matt Parrish has become a factor as well.
In the Planets’ 38-21 win over Elizabeth Forward last Friday, Parrish scored on a 39-yard run in the first quarter. He has totaled 324 yards and five scores this season.
“He was kind of lost behind Josh and Jason, but his role has evolved this season,” said Heinauer. “He’s a physical player and has done a great job for us.”
There were question marks surrounding Mars’ offensive line at the start of the season, but the group has answered them all and is a confident front.
The line includes Nolan Skirtich at tight end, Gabe Spurlock at left tackle, Trevor Heyl at left guard, Robb Miller at center, John King at right guard and Joel Glomb at right tackle.
“We had just one starter (King) back from last year,” said Heinauer, “but those other guys did see some playing time and that helped. Their improvement this season is evident and they all know the calls up front.”
In the Warriors, Heinauer sees a very athletic defense.
“It will be the best defense we’ve faced this year,” he said.
Central Valley coach Mark Lyons could not be reached for comment.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Note: The Mars/Central Valley winner will face the survivor of the Highlands/Thomas Jefferson clash in the WPIAL semifinals Nov. 15.
