Mars would like to forget about its first game.

The Center Trojans are hoping to build off of their opening contest.

The two teams will meet in a Class AA non-conference game Friday at Mars. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m.

The Planets suffered a 48-6 thumping by defending WPIAL Class AAA champ Pine-Richland last weekend, a loss stretched across two days because of lightning last Friday night.

"We're a young football team and we made an awful lot of mistakes," said Planets' coach Scott Heinauer. "The few mistakes that (Pine-Richland) made, we weren't able to capitalize on them. When that happens, you aren't going to win many games."

Center opened its season with a 27-7 win over Monaca.

The Trojans are attempting to put the disappointment of a 4-6 season behind them.

That task won't be easy as the team saw its top three rushers from 2003 graduate in June.

"They lost some good ball players, but are still pretty big up front on both sides of the ball," said Heinauer.

Head coach Larry Taddeo saw his running game take a step in the right direction with four touchdowns in its Week One win.

Quarterback Rick Nohe (1, 25), Ashton Cobb (9) and Sam DiMatteo (24) all found the end zone via the ground.

Other backs who could see action against the Planets are Justin Saunders, Trevor Litz, and Brad Meehan.

"Our ground game is going to be running back by committee this year," said Taddeo. "And there are different styles with the players we have in there.

"(Meehan and Litz) are fullbacks, so they bring a power running style, whereas the others have a bit more speed."

"They like to run the option and a lot of tosses," said Heinauer. "That's their game and we're expecting it when they run the football."

The Trojans' offense is led by senior Nohe, who is still recovering from a case of mono.

"As soon as the basketball season was over, he began lifting weights and ended up getting mono in May," said Taddeo. "He's not at 100 percent yet but he's working his way back.

"He did well last week, keeping his poise in extremely humid weather."

The Planets will be working to improve on offense after last week's six first down and 140-yard performance.

It will all start with the running game, led by Paul Ferrese, who totaled 99 yards and a score against Pine-Richland.

Center's defense uses five down lineman and two linebackers.

Tackles A.J. Bialik, Adam Hannon and Nate Glasser will join ends Dante D'Antonio and Mike Hiltz as the Trojans' first line of defense.

Center won last year's battle with Mars 34-7.