Mars football routs Knoch as white hot RB Ayden Yocum explodes for 250 yards, 4 TDs

October 04, 2025 Last Updated: October 04, 2025 12:18 AM Sports

Mars running back Ayden Yocum (4) runs the ball downfield against Knoch in a football game Friday, Oct. 3, 2025, at Mars Athletic Complex. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle

Matthew Brown

ADAMS TWP — Running back Ayden Yocum has been on a tear.

Mars’ standout ran for an impressive 254 yards and four touchdowns, his third-straight game of at least 240 yards, as the Planets put on a homecoming night show by shutting out visiting Knoch 56-0 Friday night at Mars Athletic Complex.

“I’m so very proud of how we played,” Mars head coach Eric Kasperowicz said. “We came out and established the line of scrimmage and played good defense and put some points up early.”

Yocum’s performance was all the more impressive considering he and other Planets offensive starters were pulled right after halftime. By that point, Mars (6-1, 2-0 Greater Allegheny) had already taken a commanding 42-0 lead.

“I really have to give credit to the line,” Yocum said. “They’re really the ones who did it for me. I appreciate everything they do.”

The tone of the game was set from the Knights’ third offensive play, when Gabe Hein picked off a pass from Max Wiley. On the very next play, Yocum put the Fightin’ Planets on the board with a 51-yard touchdown run with less than two minutes expired.

With that run, Yocum eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark for the season.

“I knew I was at 990 yards,” Yocum said. “So as soon as I broke the first play of the game for a touchdown, I knew I broke it then. It felt really good.”

Also putting up numbers Friday was quarterback Colin Yurisinec, who threw for 115 yards and two touchdowns. The bulk of those completions went to Hein, a Sacred Heart commit, who caught seven balls for 72 yards and a touchdown.

Mars offensive lineman Christian James (64) and running back Hunter Schroder (2) celebrate a touchdown against Knoch in a football game, Friday, Oct. 3, 2025, at Mars Athletic Complex. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle

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Knoch put a promising drive together toward the end of the first quarter, reaching as far as the Planets’ red zone. The drive, and any chances of a Knoch victory, ended when Roman DeFelice fumbled the ball away.

On their ensuing possession, the Planets went on an eight-play, 79-yard touchdown drive, capped off by a 14-yard Yurisinec pass to Hein which made it 21-0. The Knights never recovered.

Knoch (0-7, 0-2) has three chances left to avoid a winless season. Their next encounter is on the road at Hampton.

“Mars is the No. 1 ranked team in (WPIAL Class) 4A. They’re big, they’re physical, they’re well-coached, and they proved it tonight,” Knoch head coach T.J. Wiley said. “We’re still making way too many mistakes to be in any sort of game with a caliber of team like Mars. We feel that we have some good opportunities coming up here with Hampton and West Mifflin in the next two weeks.”

Mars begins its final push for the playoffs next week on the road at McKeesport.

“We’ve got a big one next week at McKeesport,” Kasperowicz said. “That’s all we’re worried about now.”

Knoch 0 0 0 0 — 0

Mars 21 21 0 14 — 56

First quarter

M — Ayden Yocum 51 run (Frank Knezovich kick) 10:09

M — Yocum 12 run (Knezovich kick) 5:35

M — Gabe Hein 12 pass from Colin Yurisinec (Knezovich kick) 0:47

Second quarter

M — Yocum 1 run (Knezovich kick) 8:05

M — Yocum 56 run (Knezovich kick) 5:25

M — Jason Droske 22 pass from Yurisinec (Knezovich kick) 1:56

Fourth quarter

M — Kellen Garvin 35 interception return (Knezovich kick) 10:02

M — Hunter Schroeder 18 run (Knezovich kick) 0:54

Individual statistics

Passing: Knoch, Max Wiley 3-6-32-1, Kade Sundie 3-7-44-1. Mars, Colin Yurisinec 10-12-115-0, Hunter Walker 3-5-28-0.

Rushing: Knoch, Carter Beres 6-12, Max Wiley 4-13, Roman DeFelice 2-(-5), Ethan Rouleau 2-(-9), Kade Sundie 1-(-2), Cameron Lang 1-2, Keegan Orris 1-3. Mars, Ayden Yocum 15-254, Hunter Schroeder 4-37, Chris Recchia 10-47, Colin Yurisinec 1-12.

Receiving: Knoch, Vincent DeFelice 2-31, Roman DeFelice 1-13, Carter Beres 1-8, Koen Sundie 1-17, Ryan McCurdy 1-7. Mars, Gabe Hein 7-72, Jimmy Sommers 2-25, Jason Droske 1-22, Brady Brennan 1-5, Smyth Dunaway 1-11, Luke Turbridy 1-8.

Mars running back Ayden Yocum (4) runs the ball downfield against Knoch in a football game Friday, Oct. 3, 2025, at Mars Athletic Complex. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle

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Knoch quarterback Kade Sundie (7) runs the ball against Mars in a football game Friday, Oct. 3, 2025, at Mars Athletic Complex. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle

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Mars quarterback Nate Walker (14) looks for an open receiver to pass to against Knoch in a football game Friday, Oct. 3, 2025, at Mars Athletic Complex. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle

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Kncoh running back Carter Beres (6) runs the ball in a football game Friday, Oct. 3, 2025, at Mars Athletic Complex. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle

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