NATRONA HEIGHTS —Anthony Vargo didn't even think he was supposed to be in the game.

But the Mars senior running back was reminded and back on the field with the Planets facing 4th-and-17 with less than three minutes remaining Friday night at Golden Rams stadium.

Despite the confusion, Vargo worked his way open down the left sideline and hauled in a 38-yard reception from Quinn Fuller. Three plays later, Teddy Ruffner scored on a 4-yard run to allow Mars to escape with a 12-7 Greater Allegheny Conference win.

“We originally drew up another play, I didn't think I was in,” Vargo said. “That left half was supposed to be for Teddy, but Teddy was on the right side. I run that play every day in practice ... It was a complete team effort on that, it just happened to work out.”

Ruffner's game-winning touchdown run with 49 seconds left ended a game that could most politely be described as sloppy.

Both team's combined for six turnovers. The most lethal came when Highlands running back Brock White fumbled on the Golden Rams 39-yard line with 2:38 remaining. White, who rushed for 137 yards on 29 carries, had enough yardage for the first down that would have likely sealed a win for Highlands (1-1, 1-1).

Scott Heinauer, who collected his 200th career coaching victory and 197th at Mars, was elated with how the Planets (2-0, 2-0) battled. On the possession before White's fumble, Mars had a 32-yard field goal attempt by Eli Wright blocked by Highlands.

The Golden Rams also blocked an extra point after Ruffner opened the game by running the kickoff back 98 yards for a touchdown.

“There was a lot of adversity tonight,” Heinauer said. “It may have not been the prettiest win, but you know what our kids found a way to win the game. Sometimes, that's something you need to do.”

Following Ruffner's early touchdown, Mars struggled to move the ball. The Planets were limited to 137 yards of total offense.

Ruffner finished with 91 yards rushing, but the Planets were hit with big losses that added up to -49 yards.

“Our kids swarmed to the ball and were up to the challenge,” Highlands coach Dominick Girardi said. “That was one of the best defensive efforts I've ever seen when you take into consideration how good No. 36 is.”

The largest of the losses — which nearly cost the Planets the game — came in the third quarter. A snap on a punt attempt sailed over Fuller's head, forcing him to fall on the ball at the Planets 4.

Highlands scored four plays later when Chandler Thimons found White on a 9-yard pass.

“We played good defense when we had to play good defense,” Heinauer said. “We bent, but didn't break. I thought our kids played well.”

Mars had several chances to score, but were clinging to life when White fumbled.

Vargo sealed the win with an interception following Ruffner's touchdown.

Nothing came easy for Mars, but the Planets found a way to escape on the road.

“We had to believe in each other and trust each other,” Vargo said. “It was all a mental game in the second half. We believed we could do it and we did.”

Mars 6 0 0 6 — 12

Highlands 0 0 7 0 — 7

First Quarter

M — Teddy Ruffner 98 kick return (kick blocked), 11:43

Third Quarter

H — Brock White 9 pass from Chandler Thimons (DJ Loveland kick), 3:51

Fourth Quarter

M — Ruffner 4 run (run failed), :49

Individual Statistics

Rushing:Mars, Teddy Ruffner 28-91. Jacob Wooldridge 1-14, Quinn Fuller 1-(-9), Anthony Vargo 1-(-12), TEAM 1-(-28). Highlands, Brock White 29-137, Chandler Thimons 6-17.

Passing:Mars, Quinn Fuller 6-19-82-2. Highlands, Chandler Thimons 7-23-98-1

Receiving:Mars, Anthony Vargo 2-56, Jacob Wooldridge 3-31, Teddy Ruffner 2-(-5). Highlands, Kaleb White 3-50, DJ Loveland 4-48.