New Castle defense harasses Mars football into 4 INTs in tough WPIAL Parkway Conference loss for Planets
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Mars’ Colin Yurisinec (1) rushes against New Castle in a football game Friday, Oct. 16, 2026, at Mars Athletic Complex. Sebastian Foltz/Special to the Eagle
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Mars receiver Brady Brennan (3) pushes for extra yards following a reception against New Castle in a football game Friday, Oct. 16, 2026, at Mars Athletic Complex. Sebastian Foltz/Special to the Eagle
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New Castle quarterback Marino Graham (13) rushes for a touchdown against Mars in a football game Friday, Oct. 16, 2026, at Mars Athletic Complex. Sebastian Foltz/Special to the Eagle
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New Castle’s Jermaine Walker (1) rushes for a touchdown against Mars in a football game Friday, Oct. 16, 2026, at Mars Athletic Complex. Photog/Butler Eagle Sebastian Foltz/Special to the Eagle
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Mars quarterback Nate Walker reaches for a fumbled snap against New Castle in a football game Friday, Oct. 16, 2026, at Mars Athletic Complex. Sebastian Foltz/Special to the Eagle
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New Castle’s Kai Cox (3) is stopped by Mars defenders in a football game Friday, Oct. 16, 2026, at Mars Athletic Complex. Sebastian Foltz/Special to the Eagle
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Mars’ Colin Yurisinec (1) pushes for extra yards on a run against New Castle in a football game Friday, Oct. 16, 2026, at Mars Athletic Complex. Sebastian Foltz/Special to the Eagle
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Mars quarterback Nate Walker (14) throws a pass against New Castle in a football game Friday, Oct. 16, 2026, at Mars Athletic Complex. Sebastian Foltz/Special to the Eagle
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Mars receiver Kellan Garvin (5) runs for a touchdown after a catch against New Castle in a football game Friday, Oct. 16, 2026, at Mars Athletic Complex. Photog/Butler Eagle Sebastian Foltz/Special to the Eagle
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New Castle’s Kai Cox (13) is brought down by a Mars defender in a football game Friday, Oct. 16, 2026, at Mars Athletic Complex. Photog/Butler Eagle Sebastian Foltz/Special to the Eagle
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Mars receiver Brody Spencer (6) has a pass broken up in the end zone by New Castle’s Jermaine Walker (1) in a football game Friday, Oct. 16, 2026, at Mars Athletic Complex. Sebastian Foltz/Special to the Eagle
ADAMS TWP — Turnovers doomed Mars.
New Castle forced four interceptions and capitalized on them to rout the Planets 47-14 Friday night in a Parkway Conference football clash at Mars Athletic Complex, dealing a decisive blow to Mars’ playoff hopes.
The Hurricanes were all over the field defensively, making life difficult for Mars quarterback Nate Walker. The interceptions included a 58-yard return for a touchdown by junior Swayzee Reighert.
The run game was also highly effective for New Castle (5-3, 2-1), as junior running back Jermaine Walker had 11 carries for 52 yards and three touchdowns. Sophomore quarterback Mario Graham also used his legs effectively, rushing 14 times for 93 yards and two touchdowns.
“We wanted to come out and establish the run, which we did early, but they were able to adjust and did a good job of getting back into the football game when they hit on a big play. So even though we were a little sloppy, our defense pulled us through,” Hurricanes head coach Fred Mozzocio said.
On the other side, the Planets (2-6, 0-2) struggled to get anything going on the ground, managing just 32 rushing yards in the game. It was also a rocky outing for Walker, who threw for 152 yards and connected on a 65-yard touchdown pass to keep the game close but could not overcome four interceptions.
The offensive line also had an up-and-down performance, at one point facing a third-and-30 after multiple high snaps in a row. One bright spot was Gus Coffield, who had a strong performance kicking and caught two passes for 18 yards.
Mozzocio also praised his defense, particularly the secondary, which turned in an outstanding performance.
“They did a great job, as we were able to have guys in their face, but our secondary was able to lock down, and they did a great job covering up people,” Mozzocio said.
New Castle 7 13 14 13 — 47
Mars 0 7 7 0 — 14
1st Quarter
NC — Mario Graham 13 run (Graham kick), 6:37
2nd Quarter
M — Nate Walker 44 pass to Brady Brennan (Coffield kick), 9:39
NC — Swayzee Reighert 58 interception return (Graham no good), 6:03
NC — Jermaine Walker 7 run (Graham no good), 4:51
3rd Quarter
NC — Walker 1 run (2-point conversion), 6:39
NC — Graham 4 run (Graham no good), 3:57
M — Walker 65 pass to Kellan Garvin (Coffield kick), 0:04
4th Quarter
NC — Kai Cox 43 run (Graham kick), 6:40
NC — Abron Dukes 62 pass to Brandon Brothers (Graham kick no good), 5:18.
Rushing: New Castle, walker 11-53, Graham 14-93. Mars, Joe Bandzak 7-13 Colin Yurisinec 6-19.
Passing: New Castle, Graham 6-17-66, Dukes 1-1-62. Mars, Walker 8-30-170-4, Blake 2-5-18.
Receiving: North Castle, Brothers 2-20, Marquise Wise 2-13, Cox 1-3. Mars, Garvin 3-91, Brennan 3-59, Corcoran 2-10, Coffield 2-10.
