Tough test on tap
With records of 9-1, both Mars and Ringgold have turned in very solid campaigns on the gridiron, but one of them will see their season end Friday night.
The Planets and Rams will face off in a WPIAL Class AAA quarterfinal playoff at Chartiers Valley High School Stadium.
While Mars claimed the Greater Allegheny Conference title this year, the Rams settled for second place in the Big Ten Conference, losing only to conference champion Belle Vernon, 13-12 in Week 6.
“You get to this level and there are no bad teams left,” said Planets’ coach Scott Heinauer. “Ringgold is big and physical up front. We have our work cut out for us.”
The Rams feature a potent no-huddle offense, most notably a ground game that is averaging 209 yards per contest. Senior halfback Chacar Berry (5-foot-7, 185 pounds) leads the way with 1,033 yards and 16 touchdowns. Sophomore Brenden Small (5-8, 175) has added 806 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. The duo combined for 256 yards and four touchdowns in a 35-0 first-round dismantling of Ambridge last week.
“They are going to get the ball to those two guys as much as they can,” said Heinauer. “They can run inside and outside and use a lot of option and trap stuff.”
“Those guys mean everything to our offense,” said second-year Ringgold coach Nick Milchovich. “Neither one is the biggest kid, but they have power and speed and are tough to tackle.”
Though the Rams’ passing attack takes a back seat to the running game, junior quarterback George Martin has put up 1,118 yards, 10 touchdowns and three interceptions this season. His most reliable target is junior wide receiver Dalton Holt, who has 22 receptions for 294 yards and five scores.
The Rams’ offensive and defensive lines are led by senior Daylen Penn (6-2, 300), who plays left guard and tackle, respectively.
Mars has displayed its ability to perform well in the clutch the last two weeks. In a 30-23 win over Hampton in the regular-season finale, fullback Isaiah Johnson scored the go-ahead touchdown with less than four minutes left. John Castello and Alex Tumminello then came up with back-to-back sacks to help stonewall the Talbots’ final drive.
In last week’s 17-14 first-round triumph over New Castle, the Planets drove 72 yards to set up Caleb Brake’s 18-yard field goal as time expired.
“Our kids believe they can win every game we play,” said Heinauer. “That’s why we are still playing. They don’t panic and they stick to the plan. In the end, they believe someone will come up with a big play.”
Johnson has rushed for nearly two-thirds of Mars’ output on the ground this season (1,611 of 2,458 yards). Senior quarterback Sam Morrissey has had a good season passing the ball (1,007 yards, 13 touchdowns and six interceptions), but has completed just 46 percent of his attempts.
“In (Monday’s) practice, we spent 90 percent of the time throwing the ball,” said Heinauer. “We need to work on our passing so Ringgold can’t load up against the run.”
“Mars is a well-oiled machine,” said Milchovich. “Their offensive line gets off the ball well and gets on the linebackers and that is a concern for us.”
Friday’s game will be the first-ever meeting between the schools. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
