WEXFORD — It wasn't just that the Mars football team imposed its will Friday night, it was who it did it against.

The Planets dominated the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball to knock defending WPIAL Class AAA champion West Allegheny out of the playoffs with a 29-3 victory Friday night at North Allegheny's Newman Stadium.

“It's not like it came down to one play tonight,” said Indians coach Bob Palko. “They were the more physical team tonight. Sometimes it's OK to tip your cap to the other team.”

Mars will face Montour, a 36-14 winner over Indiana at Butler, in the semifinals next Friday at a site and time to be determined.

Despite dominating play through the first three quarters, Mars' lead stood at just 9-3 with 12 minutes to play.

The Planets (10-1) opened the final quarter in the midst of a 12-play, 77-yard drive and wingback Seth Geyer scored on a 16-yard run on the fourth play of the quarter.

The two-point pass attempt failed, but Mars had opened a 15-3 edge.

The Indians (7-4) went to the pass in an attempt to get back in the game, but Mars came up with interceptions on the next two drives, first by Jacob Wright, then by Josh Pinkerton.

Geyer turned the second turnover into a 21-yard scoring run and Mars held a commanding 22-3 lead with 5:28 left.

Austin Miele, who rushed for 180 yards, capped the scoring with a 10-yard scoring jaunt later in the fourth.

“We talk about guys stepping up in big games,” said Planets coach Scott Heinauer. “A lot of different players contributed to this win.”

Mars senior quarterback Eric Guzak teamed with Miele for the first score of the game, a 14-yard pass early in the second quarter.

The extra point failed.

On defense, the Planets stalled West Allegheny's wildcat package as the Indians gained only four first downs in the first half.

West Allegheny's Aaron McKinney earned every one of his 65 yards on 17 carries.

“We loaded the box, and when we knew they had to pass, we blitzed them,” said Geyer, a linebacker. “The defense had a lot of big plays tonight.”

Nursing a 6-0 lead, the Planets forced a punt and took over at their own 5-yard line with 4:35 left in the first half.

The team methodically marched down the field, using runs by Miele and Geyer to move into West Allegheny territory before Guzak hit Aaron Lozzi with an 18-yard pass play down to the 14.

The drive soon stalled, due in part to a delay-of-game penalty on the Planets, but Ryan Gralish salvaged three points with a 37-yard field goal for a 9-0 lead at halftime.

“We felt we needed another score in the first half,” said Heinauer. “That was big.”

Just as big was a stand the Planets' defense made early in the third quarter.

After recovering a Planets fumble at the Mars 40, the Indians drove to the 9.

But Mars forced West Allegheny into a 26-yard field goal by Stephen Amic, but the Indians were denied a touchdown.

“We just didn't make the plays we needed to make,” said Palko.

Mars outrushed the Indians 286-96 and outgained them in total offense 377-157.

“We want to be mentioned in the same breath as the Thomas Jeffersons and West Alleghenys,” said Heinauer of his team's quest to become part of the Class AAA elite.