MURRYSVILLE — Despite having more total yards, the Mars Planets stumbled in their first loss of the season against Franklin Regional.

The Planets totaled 284 yards of offense, about 40 more than their conference rival Panthers. However, two turnovers proved costly as Mars lost 35-24.

The turnovers, both interceptions were followed by Panthers touchdowns.

“You just can’t mistakes,” Mars coach Scott Heinauer said. “We made mistakes and they didn’t make mistakes because that’s the type of team they are.”

With the loss, Mars is now 2-1 along with Franklin Regional. However, the Panthers get the Greater Allegheny Conference lead with the tiebreaker win.

For three fourths of the game, it looked like it was going to be a close showdown for the conference lead.

After a scoreless first quarter, Mars struck first with a 23-yard field goal by Eli Brooks.

On the ensuing Franklin Regional Drive, the Panthers drove from their own 27 for a seven-minute, 13-play drive ending with a 10-yard touchdown pass from Santino Birty to Bennett.

The Planets tried to respond, but with about three minutes to go in the first half, quarterback Sam Morrissey threw an interception to Panthers senior Jake Laurer at the 41-yard line. Laurer would return the ball to the Planets 11-yard line. A few plays later, Birty would punch it in for three yards for another Panthers touchdown, making the score 14-3.

The Mars offense however found their groove with 1:26 left in the half.

After getting good field position near midfield, the Planets had two big plays to set them up for scoring, including a 27-yard run from junior running back Isaiah Johnson. Johnson brought it home with a two-yard touchdown rush.

Johnson had 17 touches for 124 yards to go with the touchdown.

“Isaiah is a good running back. He runs hard and he’ll continue running hard,” Heinauer said.

Heinauer however said the team needs to do different things to give more people the ball.

In the third quarter, Mars had an opportunity to capitalize after senior defensive back Josh Raymundo intercepted the ball from Birty at the Planets 26-yard line. After a quick three-and-out though, the Panthers got the ball back and their running game started stepping up.

A four and a half-minute drive with key rushes from Birty, Stephen Johns and Jacob Ross resulted in a Ross two-yard touchdown, giving Franklin Regional a 21-10 lead.

The Planets responded with a 23-yard touchdown pass from Morrissey to tight end John Castello, cutting the lead down to 21-16 to end the third quarter.

However the Franklin Regional ground game continued its surge and ate the clock away as Ross notched his second touchdown of the night.

Mars attempted a comeback, but gravity took its hold as Morrissey threw his second pick of the night to Panthers senior Bradley Lucas. Another touchdown run by Birty on fourth down gave the Panthers a 35-16 lead with just 2:21 left in regulation.

Mars finished with a seven-play, nearly two-minute drive ending with an eight-yard pass from Morrissey to Castello.

With a two-point conversion, the score was brought 35-24.

“Our passing game was pretty good and we had some decent runs at times,” Heinauer said. “We need to play better as a team.”

Morrissey finished the night 11 for 25 for 169 yards and two touchdowns along with two interceptions.

Franklin Regional ran 52 times for 225 yards, including 101 yards by Birty.