Four teams remain in the hunt for a Greater Allegheny Conference title. Two of them will square off against each other Friday night in Blair County.

Mars (6-1, 5-1) will travel to Hollidaysburg (5-2, 4-2), where the Golden Tigers have proven to be a very tough out this season.

Hollidaysburg is 3-0 on its home turf, including a 21-17 win in Week 2 over Franklin Regional, the Panthers’ only loss to date. Last week, the Tigers edged host Hampton (14-13), the other team still clinging to conference championship hopes.

The fact that Hollidaysburg is making a run at a share of the section title is not surprising to Mars coach Scott Heinauer.

“Out of all the teams in our conference, they returned the most starters from last year,” he said. “They are a solid football team. We have our work cut out for us, especially with it being out there.”

The Tigers’ defense is leading the way toward a WPIAL Class AAA playoff berth. Since giving up 33 points in a season-opening loss to Armstrong, Hollidaysburg is surrendering just 12.8 points per game.

“We didn’t tackle well that first week, but we’ve since improved,” said Hollidaysburg coach Homer DeLattre. “We’re a 4-3 base and we returned a lot of experience on defense from last season.”

Senior linebacker Zach Kovach leads the team in tackles with 52 and senior safety Ryan Adams has five of the defense’s 12 interceptions.

But as DeLattre knows, stopping the ground game is the primary concern when facing the Planets.

“Mars is the only team in our conference that runs the Wing-T,” he said. “That could pose a problem. We are telling our kids to be disciplined and read their keys. They (Planets) are the most well-coached team we’ll face all season.”

Handling the bulk of the carries will be Planet junior fullback Isaiah Johnson, who has already surpassed 1,000 yards and has 12 touchdowns on the ground.

Getting the job done up front for Mars are center C.J. Ciafre, guards Alex Tumminello and Anthony Grieco, tackles Hunter Cooper and Adam Brandl and tight end John Castello.

“Overall, the line has played well,” said Heinauer. “We’ve missed some blocks here and there and that is a concern for me. I want us to be perfect, but it takes time. The kids are getting better.”

Hollidaysburg’s offense has lacked big plays for much of the year. Junior quarterback Jarrett Cavalet has passed for 622 yards, eight touchdowns and nine interceptions.

“He has turned the ball over a little more than we would like, but overall, he has done a pretty good job of managing the offense.”

Kovach’s 466 yards pace the team’s ground attack.

“Mars’ defensive ends, Castello and (Nate) Sablowski, are the best duo I’ve seen this year,” DeLattre said.

Mars junior Caleb Brake began the season kicking and punting for the Planets, but senior quarterback Sam Morrissey is now handling punting duties.

Mars defeated Hollidaysburg 21-0 last year.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.