ADAMS TWP — A high school football team doesn't necessarily have to wait until the playoffs to find out how it stacks up against other top teams in the district.

Sometimes, a non-conference game in the regular season serves that purpose.

Such is the case this Friday when Thomas Jefferson visits the Mars Athletic Complex to take on the streaking Planets.

Mars (5-1) has won four straight Northwest Nine Conference games, dominating the second half in last week's 34-7 win at New Castle.

But TJ, last year's WPIAL Class AAA champion, has been even more impressive. The Jaguars enter Friday's action with a perfect 5-0 mark.

Both teams' win streaks are in jeopardy.

“Mars has a strong program,” said TJ coach Bill Cherpak. “Their staff does a great job of implementing what they want to do. A lot of teams don't have an identity, but Mars does.”

What the Planets do is run the football very well. They are averaging 240 yards and nearly three touchdowns per game on the ground.

Leading the charge is senior fullback Isaiah Johnson, who has gained 786 yards and scored 10 touchdowns through six games.

Junior defensive lineman Devin Danielson (6-foot-3, 285 pounds) will lead the Jaguars' effort to impede Johnson and Co. from big gains. Danielson, who also starts at tackle on offense, is one of five returning Jaguars to earn all-conference honors last season.

Another one is senior tailback Quinton Hill, who rushed for over 1,700 yards and 24 touchdowns in 2015. So far this season, he has amassed 610 yards and 13 scores and is averaging 10.7 yards per carry.

“He is both fast and physical,” Planet coach Scott Heinauer said of Hill. “He runs downhill and is difficult to stop. Their base offense is the 'I,' but they broaden it and run some different things out of it.”

But Hill and the Jaguars will encounter a defense this week unlike any they have seen so far. Mars has given up an average of just 10 points in its five victories. The Planets held a potent New Castle offense to just 221 yards.

“Being physical is what has gotten us to this point,” said Heinauer. “I believe our physicality was the difference last week.”

TJ's closest contest this season was last week's 55-14 win over Ringgold. The Jags' five victories — which include lopsided wins over Uniontown, Trinity, Greensburg Salem and Albert Gallatin — have come against teams with a combined 6-21 record. Those same teams are 0-7 this season in games outside of the Big Nine.

“The weaker part of our schedule came at the beginning of the season,” said Cherpak. “It will be stronger the second half.”