MARS — Ryan Gralish has put his best foot forward for the Mars football team this fall.

Fortunately for the Planets soccer squad, his other foot works just as well.

Whether the senior is taking aim at a soccer net or lining up a field goal, the results typically give Mars' fans reason to cheer.

Gralish has tallied four goals and 10 assists in nine matches for the Planets soccer team. He's also delivered a pair of game-winning kicks on the grid iron.

The senior booted a tie-breaking extra point with under two minutes to play in a 21-20 victory over Pine-Richland on Sept. 9. The following week, Gralish sent a 21-yard field goal through the uprights in overtime of a 10-7 triumph against Hampton.

“It's very, very important,” said Mars football coach Scott Heinauer of Gralish's ability to come through in the clutch. “I have the utmost confidence in him and he has confidence in himself.”

Gralish has proven he can deliver in big moments, but admits he still feels the nerves that come along with a pressure-packed kick.

“Going out there, it feels like a thousand pounds on my leg,” Gralish explained. “But from all the practice I do, it's just muscle memory.”

The spotlight glared on Gralish in those situations, but he understands the feats could not be accomplished without the help of his teammates.

“It's real exciting getting those winning kicks,” he said, “but I definitely have to give a shout out to all my linemen for blocking.”

The team-first mentality was likely developed during his years on the soccer field, where his affection truly lies.

Gralish has been playing soccer year round since he was just “3 or 4” and fell in love with the game.

“When I was younger, I played on like six different teams. I had like six games in a weekend. It was crazy stuff,” said Gralish. “It's definitely a passion.”

These days, Gralish is a formidable forward for the Planets with a rare combination of size, speed and skill. At 6-foot-1, 205 pounds, Gralish wreaks havoc on opposing defenses.

“That size brings another dimension because people aren't quite used to defending somebody as big as he is,” explained Mars soccer coach Chris Knauff. “It's impressive that he's still quick and he's still got a good touch.

“That's really our system of play. We try to play through Ryan and build off of that.”

That system has helped the Planets to a 6-2-1 ledger, which includes a victory over defending WPIAL and PIAA champion Hampton. Gralish recorded an assist in the Sept. 8 win, while Spencer Posey scored both goals in the 2-1 triumph.

“Usually, I can have my back to the goal,” Gralish said, “and I'm pretty good at playing balls out and getting a lot of assists.”

Gralish is also exceptional with throw-ins, launching the ball from the sideline into an area where the Planets can create a scoring opportunity.

Soccer has been a fixture in Gralish's life for as long as he can remember, but football is another story.

“In ninth grade, some kids on the football team asked me if I wanted to kick,” Gralish recalled. “I saw that I was kind of good, so I just started working at it, going to camps.

“Now I'm here, kicking for the varsity team.”

Heinauer and the rest of the Planets are reaping the benefits.

Not only does Gralish serve as the place kicker, but he also handles kickoff and punting duties.

“He's obviously a big weapon and he's helped us tremendously,” said Heinauer.

Place kicking came more naturally for Gralish because he can implement a soccer-style approach. Punting, though, offered a unique challenge.

“There's definitely a big difference,” Gralish noted. “Punting is a lot more technical.”

Gralish boomed a 50-yard punt and sent two kickoffs into the end zone for touchbacks in the season-opening win over Moon. His leg has regularly put opposing offenses in unfavorable field position.

“That takes away the returners and it's a big help for our defense,” said Heinauer. “He's gotten better and better every year.”

A mutual respect between Heinauer and Knauff makes sharing Gralish an easy task.

“There's a lot of cooperation amongst the coaches and we understand that the kids are the most important thing,” said Heinauer. “(Gralish) does a great job. We feel very fortunate to have a guy like that.”

Not that the football team wouldn't mind using him in an expanded role.

Gralish's size and athleticism would make him an ideal linebacker or tight end, but his devotion to soccer keeps him on the pitch.

“It's funny, because I'm the biggest senior on the (football) team. A bunch of the coaches want me to come play linebacker,” said Gralish with a laugh. “I always get made fun of for playing soccer, but it's definitely worth it.

“It's been a great experience playing in different sports.”