ADAMS TWP - Ten months is a long time to be thinking about missed opportunities.

In its last game of 2004, the Mars football team dropped a 14-7 home contest to Mohawk, keeping the Planets from making the WPIAL Class AA playoffs for the first time in four years.

"They say that you remember the last game you've played," said Mars coach Scott Heinauer. "Well, the last game these kids played was a tough loss for this football team. They've had all off-season to think about it."

"All the sophomores and juniors from last year's team have made a commitment to not let that happen again," said senior fullback Paul Ferrese of the team's inability to make the postseason.

Mars finished fourth in the Tri-County North Conference last season with a 4-3 record (4-5 overall). The disappointments from a year ago have given way to an optimism about what this season may hold.

"We're in a different situation than we had last year at this time," said Heinauer. "We've got a lot more experience coming back, kids that know the system."

Nowhere is that experience more evident than on offense. The Planets scored 24 offensive touchdowns last season and the players who recorded 23 of those scores are back for more.

Ferrese rushed for 1,162 yards and 14 scores a season ago.

"We need to run the football to be successful," said Heinauer. "It's always been that way here, and this year will be no different."

Junior D.J. Cannon will start at quarterback. He passed for 447 yards, six scores and six interceptions last season while sharing the signal-calling duties with Josh Keil, who will see time at wingback this year.

Also looking to make plays from the backfield will be junior Matt Kennedy and senior Dave Pisarcik, the latter coming off a season in which he gained 325 yards on the ground and managed a 9.3 yards-per-carry average.

Senior wideout Tim Frye, who missed last season with a knee injury, returns as the Planets' biggest threat in the passing game.

"We look for him to make a big difference in the passing game," said Heinauer. "He's big (6-feet-3) and he can jump. We're going to try and take advantage of that."

Seniors Matt Whittington (tight end), Pete King (right tackle) and Corey Williams (left guard), along with junior Ryan Nearhoof (right guard) return to anchor the offensive line.

The center spot is currently a battle between juniors Andy Howcroft and Shamus O'Donnell while the right tackle position is up for grabs between juniors Scott Brettell and Mike Sirney.

Heinauer is looking for to tighten his defense after the Planets surrendered eight combined touchdowns in conference losses to Laurel (50-15) and Neshannock (27-18) last season.

"Some of that was due to poor tackling," Heinauer said. "And we've been practicing tackling every day in practice."

Williams will start at defensive tackle while the other defensive line positions are not set.

That's not the case with the team's linebacking corps: King, Pisarcik, Whittington, Nearhoof and Kennedy are the expected playmakers at the position.

Ferrese, Frye and senior Bill Cress will spend time at cornerback, while Cannon and Keil will be at free safety and strong safety, respectively.

Carroll Smith could also contribute in the secondary.

Senior Tim Wirtz will handle the kicking and punting duties.

The Planets' section opponents are Laurel, Neshannock, Union-New Castle, Summit Academy, Mohawk, Riverside and Shenango.

"We don't have to guard against overconfidence," said Heinauer. "These kids know what happened last year.

"The key is to get off to a fast start. We don't want to put ourselves behind the eight ball early."

Mars will open the season Friday by hosting Pine-Richland.