Mars' Cole Horan (55) strips the ball from Blackhawk quarterback Chandler Kincade during the Planets' 45-21 win over the Cougars in the first round of the WPIAL Class AAA playoffs last week. Mars will need another solid defensive effort against West Mifflin Friday.

ADAMS TWP — At first glance, it appears to be a rematch. But after a closer look, Friday’s WPIAL Class AAA quarterfinal football playoff game between Mars and West Mifflin features key differences from last year’s meeting.

The Titans ended Mars’ 2011 season with a 21-8 decision in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs.

Mars fullback Josh Schultheis was just a freshman then and, though he did start, rushed just 17 times for 52 yards.

He is now a 6-foot-1, 225-pound wrecking ball who has bludgeoned defenses for 1,621 yards and 27 touchdowns this season.

West Mifflin (9-1) has seen one major change since last facing the Planets. In last season’s game, senior running back Shamar Greene was the workhorse for the Titans and he gained 224 yards and scored a touchdown in the playoff win.

Greene graduated in June and in stepped Jimmy Wheeler, a 5-9, 165-pound junior. He’s rushed for 1,856 yards and 24 touchdowns in 2012.

While both offenses have, at times, had success throwing the ball this year, the focus for both teams will be on the ground.

“He is fast and when he gets in open space, you can’t catch him,” said Mars coach Scott Heinauer of Wheeler, who placed fourth in the WPIAL Class AAA 100-meter dash last spring with a time of 11.04 seconds. “They are not a passing team. They rely on the run and we have to play good, fundamental defense.”

Wheeler is not the only running threat the Planets (9-1) will face. West Mifflin senior quarterback Derrick Fulmore has gained 676 yards and scored 13 touchdowns. He has completed only 32 passes this season, but has amassed 684 yards through the air and seven touchdowns compared to just two interceptions.

West Mifflin, which defeated Knoch last week 28-14, suffered its only loss this season Oct. 26 to Big Nine Conference champion Thomas Jefferson by a score of 28-14.

Mars eliminated Blackhawk in the first round 45-21. Schultheis rushed for 242 yards and four touchdowns. He also fumbled three times, though the Planets recovered all of them. Heinauer is not concerned.

“We were using some footballs that weren’t broken in yet and that was probably why he fumbled,” he said.

Friday’s game will kick off at 7:30 p.m. at Fox Chapel High School’s stadium.

West Mifflin coach Ray Braszo could not be reached for comment.