Last year, the Summit Academy football team came alive after a 30-point loss to Mars.

The Knights are hoping to be wide-awake for an upset this time around.

They will look to spoil Mars' Senior Recognition Night on Friday. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

Summit Academy (3-4, 3-3) is desperate for a Tri-County North win. After opening the season with three straight conference victories, the Knights have dropped their last three against Laurel, Riverside and last week to Shenango.

The Knights were up 30-21 in the fourth quarter but could not prevail in a 34-30 defeat.

"If they hadn't made some mistakes at the end of the game, they would have won," said Mars coach Scott Heinauer.

If the Knights can win their last two — including next week against Cornell — and get some help along the way, they could qualify for the WPIAL playoffs for the first time in the program's history.

Last season, a 38-8 loss to Mars put the Knights at 0-3 in the conference. The team then reeled off three straight wins, only to have their playoff hopes end with a 34-13 loss to Riverside in the season finale.

The Planets (6-1, 5-1) are tied with Shenango and Laurel atop the conference standings after last week's 34-0 blanking of Neshannock.

An outright conference title, something Mars has never accomplished, is still within reach if the team receives help in the last two weeks.

"We can't worry about that," said Heinauer. "We just have to take care of our own business."

The Planets' business this week includes keeping an eye on Summit junior Leonard Brown.

The 5-foot-10, 150-pound wide receiver and defensive back has given opposing teams headaches all season long.

He's tallied 13 catches for 207 yards and five of the team's seven receiving touchdowns.

On defense, Brown has returned two interceptions for scores, including a 100-yard effort against Shady Side Academy in Week 3.

Junior quarterback Stephen Grandison has thrown for 612 yards, but the seven scores have been equaled by his seven interceptions.

Summit's leading rusher is freshman Ryan Robinson, who has managed 259 yards on just 32 carries, three of which went for touchdowns.

"They have some athletes with speed and that's a concern to anybody," said Heinauer. "A lot of their touchdowns this year have come because of their ability to improvise.

"They're becoming more comfortable with what they're able to do on offense and defense," added Heinauer.

The Planets have their own ball-hawking defensive back in senior Josh Keil, who has picked off four passes.

Carroll Smith joins Keil as the Planets' cornerbacks. D.J. Cannon and Ryan Schroth have split time at free safety and strong safety has been a combination of Josh Bender and Shane Kaclik.

Mars has given up 953 yards through the air, though 442 of that came in a Week 3 loss to Shenango.

"We just did not play well against Shenango," said Heinauer. "But lately, we have done well, but we're constantly trying to get better."

Keil has been the definition of balance for the Planets' offense.

The veteran wingback has rushed for 390 yards and six touchdowns and has caught 369 yards worth of passes along with three scores.

Summit Academy coach Steve Sherer could not be reached for comment.

<B>Summit Academy at Mars7:30 p.m., FridayStreak: </B>The Planets have not given up a point in the third quarter this season, outscoring their opponents 54-0.<B>Statistic: </B>Summit Academy has committed 64 penalties this season worth 525 yards.<B>Speaking: </B>"They have some athletes with speed and that's a concern to anybody. A lot of their touchdowns this year have come because of their ability to improvise." — Mars coach Scott Heinauer