Mars football’s Ethan Kresinski takes center stage in win vs Hampton to clinch WPIAL playoff berth
ADAMS TWP — If Friday’s meeting with Hampton was indeed Ethan Kresinski’s final football game at Mars Athletic Complex, he went out in style.
The senior caught a 14-yard touchdown pass and starred on defense with a sack and two other tackles for a loss as the Planets celebrated senior night with a 49-10 Greater Allegheny Conference victory over the Talbots.
The win, coupled with McKeesport’s defeat of Indiana, clinched a WPIAL Class 4A playoff berth for the Planets (7-2, 3-1), who will play another home game only if they earn one of the top four of eight seeds in the playoffs, which begin Oct. 31.
“It was definitely bittersweet, but it was a great way to end things, beating our biggest rival,” said Kresinski, who plays H-back and defensive end. “I love playing H-back. I get to spend time with the big guys up front and the skill guys.”
He had scored a touchdown on a pick-six earlier this season, but Friday’s score was his first on offense this year. He leads the Planets’ defense with 14 tackles for loss.
“We’re expanding that (offensive) package a bit with Ethan in there,” Mars coach Eric Kasperowicz said. “We know he can do it, it’s just a matter of calling it at the right time. And it’s obvious what he means to us defensively.”
Kresinski caught one of sophomore quarterback Colin Yurisinec’s two scoring tosses. Gabe Hein snagged the other, a 30-yarder in the third quarter for the game’s final score.
A first-year starter, Yurisinec completed 9 of 10 passes for 145 yards. The one incompletion was intercepted by Hampton’s Landon Long in the first quarter, though the ball bounced off the hands of his intended receiver.
“He played his best game two weeks ago (in a win over Knoch), and he was great tonight,” Kasperowicz said of Yurisinec. “He’s making the right reads. Whether it’s for a touchdown or a 10-yard gain, he’s making the right reads, and that’s what we’re concerned with.”
Running back Ayden Yocum continued his superb senior campaign, gaining 127 yards on just 13 carries and scoring three times.
His first touchdown came just four plays into the game, a 10-yard jaunt after he opened the night with a 36-yard run.
Hampton (4-5, 2-2), with senior Willy Haselrig at quarterback, answered with an eight-play, 46-yard drive that led to a 36-yard field goal from Jake Lucas. But Mars scored three straight touchdowns to take a 28-3 lead in the second quarter. Included were scoring runs from Jameson Garvin and Hein.
Haselrig tallied 12- and 13-yard runs on Hampton’s one touchdown drive just before halftime, but finished the game with just 25 yards on 14 carries. He was one of three quarterbacks to pass for between 200-300 yards for the Talbots this season entering Friday’s game.
“We didn’t know who would be starting for them tonight,” Kasperowicz said. “I’m proud of our guys and happy for our seniors.”
Mars closes the regular season at Indiana next Friday.
Hampton 3 7 0 0 — 10
Mars 14 14 21 0 — 49
First Quarter
M — Ayden Yocum 10 run (Frank Knezovich kick), 10:34
H — Jake Lucas 36 field goal, 6:49
M — Jameson Garvin 6 run (Knezovich kick), 1:24
Second Quarter
M — Gabe Hein 69 run (Knezovich kick), 11:40
M — Ethan Kresinski 14 pass from Colin Yurisinec (Knezovich kick), 7:58
H — Brody Junker 1 run (Lucas kick), :13
Third Quarter
M — Yocum 32 run (Knezovich kick), 8:22
M — Yocum 10 run (Knezovich kick), 5:42
M — Hein 30 pass from Yurisinec (Knezovich kick), 3:35
Individual Statistics
Rushing: Hampton, Willy Haselrig 14-25, Heath Borgo 1-(-1), Evan McAneny 18-64, Brody Junker 1-1, Jake Kennedy 4-(-4), Deacon Csellar 2-4. Mars, Ayden Yocum 13-127, Gabe Hein 3-63, Jameson Garvin 1-6, Colin Yurisinec 1-(-6), Chris Recchia 2-8.
Passing: Hampton, Willy Haselrig 7-14-70-2. Mars, Colin Yurisinec 9-10-145-1, Bryce Slavicek 0-2-0-0.
Receiving: Hampton, Andrew Carr 1-11, Heath Borgo 5-51, Landon Long 1-8. Mars, Ethan Kresinski 2-34, Gabe Hein 3-45, Smyth Dunaway 1-33, Brady Brennan 1-14, Jason Droske 1-9, Jimmy Sommers 1-10.
-
Mars' Ethan Kresinski (7) scores a touchdown against Hampton in a football game Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Mars Athletic Complex. Mars won 49-10. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
-
Mars' Ayden Yocum (4) runs for a touchdown against Hampton in a football game Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Mars Athletic Complex. MArs won 49-10. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
-
Mars' Gabe Hein (30) runs for a touchdown against Hampton during a football game Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Mars Athletic Complex. Mars won 49-10. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
-
Mars' head coach Eric Kasperowicz yells at the officials during a football game against Hampton on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Mars Athletic Complex. Mars won 49-10. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
-
Mars' Gabe Hein (30) celebrates his touchdown with Adam Budzilek (55) during a football game against Hampton on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Mars Athletic Complex. Mars won 49-10. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
-
Mars' Jameson Garvin (8) pushes past Hampton's Joey Stephenson (56) to score a touchdown during a football game Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Mars Athletic Complex. Mars won 49-10. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
-
Mars' Gabe Hein (30) runs with the ball during a football game against Hampton on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Mars Athletic Complex. Mars won 49-10. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
-
Mars' Ayden Yocum (4) celebrates his touchdown with Brady Brennan (20) during a football game against Hampton on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Mars Athletic Complex. Mars won 49-10. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
-
Mars' Ethan Kresinski (7) shows his excitement after scoring a touchdown during a football game against Hampton on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Mars Athletic Complex. Mars won 49-10. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
-
Mars' Ayden Yocum (4) breaks a tackle from Hampton's Landon Long (18) during a football game Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Mars Athletic Complex. Mars won 49-10. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
-
Mars' Smyth Dunaway (12) runs after a catch during a football game against Hampton on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Mars Athletic Complex. Mars won 49-10. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
-
Mars' quarterback Colin Yurisinec (1) flashes the "W" signs after beating Hampton 49-10 in a football game Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Mars Athletic Complex. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
-
Mars' head coach Eric Kasperowicz with the team in a timeout during a football game against Hampton on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Mars Athletic Complex. Mars won 49-10. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
-
Mars' quarterback Colin Yurisinec (1) hands off the ball to Ayden Yocum (4) during a football game against Hampton on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Mars Athletic Complex. Mars won 49-10. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
-
Mars' Jameson Dickman (77), Liam Corcoran (40) and their teammates run off the field cheering after beating Hampton 49-10 in a football game Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Mars Athletic Complex. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
-
Mars' dance team entertains the crowd before a football game Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Mars Athletic Complex. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
-
Mars' Marching Band perform the National Anthem before a football game Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Mars Athletic Complex. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
-
Mars' Cheerleaders get the crowd pumped up during a football game Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Mars Athletic Complex. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
-
Mars' celebrates Senior Night honoring students from each sport, including members of the cheerleading squad, before a football game Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Mars Athletic Complex. Mars beat Hampton 49-10. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
-
Mars' football team and honorary captains take the field before a football game Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Mars Athletic Complex. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
-
Mars' students wear pink in support of beast cancer awareness during a football game against Hampton on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Mars Athletic Complex. Mars won 49-10. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
