Bair necessity
ADAMSTWP — A 94-yard touchdown run by Mars running back Billy Bair Friday might sell tickets for the rest of the season.
But it was defensive efforts on two plays early in the fourth quarter that ensured the Planets of a 32-20 high school football victory over Laurel Friday night.
Kicking off the 2006 season with a brand-new field, Mars took on what many consider to be its toughest rival in the opening game of the season.
"This was a big game," said Mars coach Scott Heinauer. "(Laurel coach Jerry Holzhauser) and I talked before we played, and we agreed. We knew how big of a football game this would be. Neither one of us were too happy about starting the season playing each other."
Unable to come up with a victory against the Spartans since 1996 and being outscored by them 89-22 since 2004, Heinauer knew the Planets had to bring something special to season opener.
That special something turned out to be Bair. With 150 yards rushing and two touchdowns, the junior running back racked up enough yards to lead his team to victory.
"We know Billy Bair can run the football. He showed us that last year," said Heinauer. "He keeps his feet close to the ground and he's able to make some good cuts. Most kids have a very difficult time catching him."
That was the case for Laurel when Bair immediately answered a Spartans score with a 94-yard kickoff return, putting the Planets up 7-6 late in the first quarter. Catching the ball on the 6-yard line, Bair weaved in and out of Laurel defenders, cut completely across the field and warded off a tackle before making his way into the end zone.
"I just make sure I'm looking for the cutbacks on runs," Bair said. "When I cut across the field, I started to get a little tired, but it felt good when I reached the end zone."
But Bair and his teammates never could have pulled off their first win of the season without defensive lineman Scott Brettell.
With Laurel facing third-and- 13 from the Planets' 18-yard line, Brettell came barreling through and sacked quarterback Corey Collins. When the Spartans attempted to convert on fourth-and-20, Brettell tipped the ball away from intended receiver Kevin Mattocks, saving the Spartans from tying the game at 26.
"We knew we had to come out and take control, and that's what we did in the second half," Heinauer said.
Mars quarterback D.J. Cannon completed 3-of-six passes, hooking up with running back Josh Keil for 45 yards, 64 yards and a 10-yard touchdown toss.
"They have a lot of weapons," said Holzhauser. "We fought hard. We have no excuses and no alibis for what we did. That's a heck of a football team. They are very well coached. This was a tough test, but we'll learn from it and keep getting better."
With his team trailing 20-13 at intermission, Cannon intercepted a Collins pass midway through the third frame and a late-hit penalty gave Mars the ball on the 10-yard line, paving the way for a 2-yard run by Keil to tie the game at 20.
Forcing the Spartans to punt on their ensuing drive, Mars drove the ball from its 30- yard line before a Cannon-Keil touchdown connection at the beginning of the fourth quarter made the score 26-20.
The final Mars score came on a 2-yard run by Bair with 3:36 remaining in the game.
"We're just going to keep positive and continue to try to move the football," Heinauer said. "We're going to keep gaining confidence and gaining momentum."
