ADAMS TWP — Two straight losses did not sit well with Scott Heinauer. Three would have been unthinkable, but Mars' veteran football coach didn't need to worry about that.

After consecutive defeats to New Castle and Thomas Jefferson the last two weeks, Mars returned home and flexed its muscles against struggling Ambridge.

The Planets rushed for 360 yards and five touchdowns in a 42-7 Northwest Nine Conference victory over the Bridgers Friday night.

“We lost two straight for the first time since 2005 and we told the kids that just doesn't happen here,” said Heinauer. “We were a bit bitter about it and in practice this week, we stayed on our blocks on offense and got off the ball on defense. Tonight our kids did what they needed to do.”

Mars outgained Ambridge (0-7, 0-8) 246-56 in the first half while building a 35-0 lead.

But before the Planet ground game got going, Thomas Sheehy continued his superb season in the team's defensive backfield.

The Bridgers opened the action with three straight passes from quarterback Robbie Thompson, moving the ball to the Planet 22. On first down, he was pressured and hurried his throw, which was picked off by Sheehy at the Mars 8.

The Planets (5-3, 4-2) embarked on a 10-play, 92-yard drive. Garrett Reinke and Teddy Ruffner had back-to-back 21-yard gains on the ground and Ruffner capped the march with a 1-yard touchdown run. Chris Check's first of six extra points gave the Planets a 7-0 lead and the team was off and running.

Davis Bayne intercepted Thompson on Ambridge's next drive and two plays later, Andrew Moyer scored on a 21-yard burst.

Ruffner added a 6-yard scoring run and Reinke scored from two yards out to make it 28-0.

But the Planets weren't done. With just 45 seconds left in the half, they took over at their own 44. A 16-yard run by Chuck Green, a 23-yard pass from Tyler Kowalkowski to Cade Hetzler and a personal foul penalty on Ambridge helped set the Planets up at the Bridger 6. On the last play of the first half, Kowalkowski found Hetzler in the right-front corner of the endzone for a five-score lead at halftime. In the first two quarters alone, four different Mars players had at least 33 rushing yards, led by Reinke's 82.

The Planets were primed for a dominating effort, especially after a spirited week of practice.

“It was very intense,” said Moyer, a wingback and linebacker. “We got after it tonight. A lot of different players contributed and it shows we are a deep team. We have six different backs who are all capable of getting the job done.”

Green closed Mars' scoring with a 5-yard run in the third quarter. Ambridge avoided a shutout when Thompson found Tay Lindsey for a 13-yard touchdown pass midway through the final quarter.

Mars' victory gives Heinauer 179 in his 26 seasons with the Planets, tying former Butler coach Art Bernardi for the most wins in Butler County history.

The Planets visit Indiana next Friday before closing the regular season at Knoch Oct. 27.

“It's important we win those last two games,” said Moyer, “not only to clinch a playoff berth, but it could also get us a home playoff game.”

Ambridge 0 0 0 7 — 7

Mars 14 21 7 0 — 42

First Quarter

M — Teddy Ruffner 1 run (Chris Check kick), 5:05

M — Andrew Moyer 21 run (Check kick), 4:40

Second Quarter

M — Ruffner 6 run (Check kick), 11:49

M — Garrett Reinke 2 run (Check kick), 7:01

M — Cade Hetzler 6 pass from Tyler Kowalkowski (Check kick), :00

Third Quarter

M — Chuck Green 5 run (Check kick), 3:36

Fourth Quarter

A — Tay Lindsey 13 pass from Robbie Thompson (Mason Osborn kick), 6:52

Individual Statistics

Rushing: Ambridge, Deyvon Gill-Martin 9-(-1), Noah Campalong 7-15. Mars, Garrett Reinke 9-82, Teddy Ruffner 10-65, Tyler Kowalkowski 4-4, Andrew Moyer 4-39, Chuck Green 7-67, Jake Richardson 6-41, Nicholas Ferro 2-15, Nick Spotti 2-46, Ryan Barber 1-5, TEAM 2-(-4).

Passing: Ambridge, Robbie Thompson 9-17-121-2, Noah Campalong 0-2-0-0. Mars, Tyler Kowalkowski 3-7-44-0.

Receiving: Ambridge, Justin Hassick 1-15, Tay Lindsey 3-48, Dozhay Crumb 4-39, Demarri Jones 1-19. Mars,