NATRONA HEIGHTS — A Greater Allegheny Conference showdown turned into a slaughter.

Mars dominated Highlands with a stifling defense and efficient offense for a 39-0 victory on Friday night at Golden Rams Stadium.

The crucial win vaults the Planets into a three-way tie atop the conference with Highlands and Franklin Regional, which lost to the Rams last week after defeating Mars in Week 1.

“It's real big,” said Mars senior running back-linebacker Jason Lozzi. “It puts us back in the hunt for a conference championship. I'm hoping we can complete that goal.”

Defense paced Mars to the lopsided triumph. The Planets allowed only 118 yards of total offense, but the Rams struggled even more than the numbers indicate.

Highlands gained 52 of those yards during its opening drive — which resulted in a missed field goal — and added 46 more in its final possession against the Planets' second-team defense. The Rams mustered just 28 yards in between.

“We knew as a team they were going to hit hard and we just needed to come out and hit harder,” said Lozzi.

“We had that mentality the whole time — be physical and take it to them,” said Mars senior guard-linebacker John King. “Everyone was flowing to the ball, we had good group tackles and good team defense.”

The Planets jumped out to a 6-0 lead after marching down the field on a 10-play, 65-yard drive. Josh Schultheis capped it with a scoring plunge from 1 foot away on a fourth-and-goal and Mars maintained that edge through one quarter.

The Planets (3-1, 3-1) stretched it to 12-0 with 5:01 left in the second quarter after Ori Rinaman ran around the right side and stretched for the pylon on a 12-yard score. A perfectly-placed pass from Owen Nearhoof to Nolan Skirtich for 38 yards on a second-and-20 set up the touchdown.

“Our kids did a great job,” said Mars coach Scott Heinauer. “We ran the ball the well and we threw the ball when we needed to throw the ball.

“Owen had time and when Owen has time, he's a good quarterback,” he added. “Our kids up front did a great job.”

The Planets quickly seized complete control of the ballgame.

After Mars stopped Highlands (3-1, 3-1) on the ensuing drive, Travis Ganter fielded a punt and weaved his way to the end zone for a 43-yard touchdown return.

“I just went with it, cutting back and forth looking for a lane,” said Ganter. “I saw daylight and I was off to the races.

“Throughout the whole season our special teams haven't been too good and we needed that,” he added. “It feels good to contribute to the win.”

Mars took a 19-0 advantage into the locker rooms and cemented the victory in the second half.

“Coming out of halftime, we knew they were going to get the ball and we needed to shut them down,” said Heinauer.

The Planets forced a three-and-out and pieced together a six-play, 34-yard scoring drive which culminated with a 2-yard run from Schultheis.

“Our offensive line play, our defensive front seven — they were the difference in the game,” said Heinauer. “We knew we had to give our guys some time to throw it or run the ball. ... We picked up almost everything that they gave us. I'm proud of our kids.”

Highlands coach Sam Albert was frustrated with his team's performance.

“It may be the worst football game we've ever played on both sides of the ball,” said Albert. “I think we made every mistake you can make.

“(Mars) came in well prepared, they were hungry and our kids didn't respond,” he added. “It's not about getting knocked down, it's how you get up. Hopefully, they learn from it and come out with that fire again.”

The Planets capped the scoring with a 3-yard run from Schultheis — his 10th touchdown of the season — and a 2-yard plunge from Matt Parrish, set up by a Skirtich interception.

Schultheis finished with a game-high 76 yards and three touchdowns on 17 carries, while Skirtich had two catches for 76 yards.

Elijah Jackson led Highlands (3-1, 3-1) with 61 rushing yards on 14 totes. He was held to 19 yards after the Rams' initial drive.

“He's great football player,” said Heinauer of Jackson. “We wanted to get him in the backfield before he could get loose. Don't let him start to get yards, because if he gets space, it's going to be a touchdown.”

The Planets host Greensburg Salem next week.

“We're where we need to be at this point,” said Heinauer. “We hope to get better and better.”

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