ADAMS TWP — The Mars football team spent the 2008 season proving it was one of the better squads in WPIAL Class AAA.

The challenge for the Planets this year is staying there.

Mars lost some key components of last year's 7-4 team that reached the district quarterfinals, but some stars do return.

Right offensive tackle Brody Evanson (6-feet-1, 290 pounds), right guard Dylan Bear (6-2, 230) and left guard Nevan O'Donnell (6-1, 260) will provide a solid core of veterans up front, which is where it all starts for the Planets' powerful Wing-T scheme. The remaining spots on the line are still up for grabs.

"Last year, we had kids that played a lot together on the line and that helps with the blocking schemes," said Mars coach Scott Heinauer. "We're going to have some new players there this year and we're going to take our time with them."

Austin Miele returns at fullback after gaining 1,080 yards as a sophomore, while Seth Geyer and Randy Seebacher will contribute from wingback-halfback.

Mars graduated two-year starting quarterback John Brake and the job will fall to one of two juniors: Brad Weischedel (6-0, 160) or Eric Guzak (6-0, 170).

"It's dead even between those two, but they both bring different things to the table," Heinauer said. "Brad's a little more athletic, but Eric is a bit more disciplined.

"We'll stick a few wrinkles into the passing game," he added.

The wide receiver spot will be earned by one of several players, with seniors Brad Grosso (6-1, 185) and Cameron Malewski (6-1, 175) among them.

Mars, which hasn't missed the WPIAL playoffs in four seasons, returns five starters on defense: Miele and Geyer at inside linebacker, Evanson and O'Donnell at defensive tackle and Seebacher at cornerback.

Evanson is the team's top returning tackler, totaling 68 stops a year ago.

O'Donnell managed three sacks as a junior, Miele had 11 tackles for loss, while Geyer (58 tackles) and Seebacher (47) also played big roles in Mars' defense in 2008.

"We'll run multiple sets on defense, but we're going to build off the starters we have coming back," said Heinauer.

Senior Christopher Karns, whose kickoffs regularly ended up as touchbacks last season, returns.

"You have a kid who can kick it like that, you put the other team at the 20-yard line and make them go 80 yards," said Heinauer. "That's important."

The punter has yet to be decided.

The Planets will play the likes of Highlands, Franklin Regional, Hampton, Indiana and Knoch in the Greater Allegheny Conference.

"Indiana has everyone back but their quarterback," said Heinauer. "They have to be pretty good this year, and they'll find a quarterback."