Mars taking on another giant test

September 18, 2008 Last Updated: September 18, 2008 02:50 PM High School

Slippery Rock High quarterback Jono Powell will take his undefeated Rockets into a clash with undefeated Sharon at home Saturday night.

The Mars football team knocked off its first Quad A opponent last week, but a stiffer test awaits the Planets Friday.

Mars rolled over host Plum last Friday, 34-0, and this week's challenge is to beat another Quad A foe on the road in Fox Chapel.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

The Foxes haven't made the WPIAL playoffs since 2002, but have shown early signs that this year could be different.

The program went a dismal 8-41 from 2003-07, but is 2-1 so far in 2008.

Fox Chapel lost to Highlands in Week 1 before beating Latrobe and then Franklin Regional, 24-19, last week. The Foxes built a 24-0 lead before the Panthers managed a second-half rally.

"No question, it's going to be a stiffer test this week," said Mars coach Scott Heinauer. "(Fox Chapel) is a better football team and they have better skill guys."

Sophomore halfback Montay Green gained 118 yards rushing and scored two touchdowns in the Foxes' win last week.

"He started two games last year before breaking his leg, so he's still a puppy," said Foxes fourth-year coach Bryan Deal.

Make that a 6-foot-1, 220-pound puppy who can bench press 300 pounds.

Fox Chapel's Lamonte White added a 97-yard kickoff return for another score last week.

But the Planets are hoping to neutralize the Foxes' big-play threats.

Mars junior kicker Christopher Karns consistently has booted kickoffs into the end zone.

"Having (Karns) kick the way he is, it's a major weapon," said Heinauer. "In high school, if the ball is kicked into the end zone, it's over. You can't return it.

"A lot of scouts feel he is the best kicking prospect in the WPIAL," Heinauer added of Karns.

The importance of beginning a season 3-1 is not lost on Deal.

"We're trying to establish a program," he said. "It's not about who we play, it's about winning games."

• Last year's score: Karns City 42, Clarion-Limestone 0• Coaches: Clarion-Limestone: Todd Smith; Karns City: Ed Conto• Game notes: The Lions are coming off a 21-12 victory over A-C Valley last Friday, thanks to a pair of 1-yard rushing touchdowns by quarterback Dan Miller. Zac Roller led the Lions with 98 yards rushing.

• Last year's score: Moniteau 48, A-C Valley 0• Coaches: A-C Valley: Gary Pinkerton; Moniteau: Jeff Campbell• Game notes: A-C Valley dropped a 21-12 decision last Friday to Clarion-Limestone, despite two rushing touchdowns from Luke Walker and 109 rushing yards from Dillon Montgomery. ... It marked the first time since 2005 that the Falcons had a 100-yard rushing performance in a single game. ... Warriors' senior quarterback Tyler Armagost has passed for 517 yards, four touchdowns and just one interception through three games and needs just 92 yards to reach 4,000 in his career. ... Moniteau leads the all-time series with the Falcons, 20-17-4.

• Last year's score: Keystone 53, Union 0• Coaches: Union: Jeremy Lipps (first year, 0-3); Keystone: Jason Nellis (fifth year, 17-26)• Game notes: The Panthers have been shut out in their last two games, dropping decisions of 49-0 and 41-0 to Redbank Valley and Clarion, respectively. ... Clarion averaged 9.4 yards per play vs. Keystone last week. ... RB an Reed leads Keystone's offense with 145 yards rushing and three TDs as the Panthers attempted only 10 total passes in their first two games.

• Last year's score: Did not play• Coaches: Franklin, Dave Smith; Grove City, Jeff Bell• Game notes: Both teams are coming off lopsided loss. The Eagles fell behind Wilmington 15-0 early in the first quarter on the way to a 42-7 loss. Franklin was routed by Strong Vincent 48-6. ... The Knights are giving up an average of 34 points per game. ... Franklin wide receiver Tyler Bittner set the school record for receiving yardage last week. ... The Eagles may get senior quarterback Mike Burk back under center. Burk is recovering from foot surgery to repair a fracture.

• Last year's score: Did not play• Coaches: Summit Academy: Steve Sherer; Ford City: John Bartolovic• Game notes: The Sabers walloped Deer Lakes last week, 33-0, as Jordan Eckman rushed for two touchdowns and passed for another to Ryan Young to stay perfect in the Allegheny Conference. ... Caleb Berrett and Travis November also rushed for touchdowns.

• Last year's score: Did not play• Coaches: Sharon, Bob Fromm; Slippery Rock, Clyde Conti• Game notes: The Rockets are coming off a 53-0 win over Hickory, the largest margin of victory in school history. ... Slippery Rock has outscored its opponents 128-12 this season. ... Sharon has outscored its foes 83-13. ... The Rockets have forced 13 turnovers in three games, many in their own territory. ... The Tigers have committed just four turnovers this season. ... Slippery Rock quarterback Jono Powell is responsible for 13 touchdowns this season — six passing, six rushing and one on an interception return. ... Sharon is led by quarterback Todd Rearick, who has thrown four TDs and just one interception this season. Rearick also has rushed for 152 yards.