Mars graduate Ryan McKenzie, center, celebrates with teammates after scoring the lone goal of the match against Hampton in the WPIAL Class AA championship game against Hampton in 2009. McKenzie, a two-time Butler Eagle Boys Soccer Player of the Year, will be inducted into the Mars Athletic Hall of Fame this September.

This is the first in a series of 12 articles profiling the Mars Athletic Hall of Fame's Class of 2021.SHARPSBURG — It was no coincidence that Ryan McKenzie's breakout season for the Mars boys soccer team came in a year when the Planets made history.As a sophomore in 2007, McKenzie scored a team-leading 17 goals, helping Mars reach the state championship game for the first time.He continued to be a top scoring threat over the next two years while the Planets won back-to-back WPIAL titles. He was named the Butler Eagle's Boys Soccer Player of the Year in 2008 and 2009.McKenzie finished his scholastic career with a then-school record 78 goals and 45 assists.He will be inducted into the Mars Athletic Hall of Fame Sept. 17.“Coach (Chris) Knauff and my teammates had a lot to do with my success,” said McKenzie. “I didn't put too much pressure on myself. When you enjoy playing, it makes it a lot easier to do well.”In the WPIAL Class 2A playoffs in 2007, McKenzie and the Planets fell in the semifinal round, but kept their season alive with a victory over South Park in the consolation game. That set in motion the memorable run to Hershey.

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