Planets seek to move on from loss
They are three quarters of football Scott Heinauer would like to forget.
After jumping out to a 14-0 lead at Moon last week, Mars gave up 36 unanswered points in a 36-14 loss to the Tigers.
Moon's comeback began with a blocked punt that resulted in a safety, but at halftime, the Planets still led 14-8.
“We were playing our game,” said Heinauer. “We were calm and thought we had control of the game. Then we faced adversity and lost confidence.”
Mars (1-1) gets one more shot to prepare for conference play, which begins Sept. 13. The Planets will host Greensburg Salem (1-1) Friday with a 7 p.m. kickoff.
The Golden Lions (Class 4A) were crushed by Hempfield (Class 6A), 40-3, to start the season. They rebounded last week to post a 19-13 overtime win against Trinity.
Friday's game will be Greensburg's third straight road contest.
“I've been a little disappointed in the quality of our performance so far,” said Lions' coach Dave Keefer. “We found a win last week. I thought we were the better team, but didn't perform all that well.
“We recognized that it was going to be challenging at the beginning of the season,” he added. “I think the kids have put pressure on themselves to be perfect, but our goal is to just get better every week. Our kids just need to be themselves.”
The Lions reached the WPIAL playoffs last season for the first time in seven years. Much of the hope surrounding the team this fall hinges on senior quarterback Trent Patrick, who threw for 970 yards and 11 touchdowns and surpassed 400 yards rushing as a junior. He has been the Lions' starter since October of his sophomore season.
“He's struggled a bit to start the season, but we believe that he will eventually find the rhythm like he has in the past,” said Keefer. “He's a tremendous competitor.”
Patrick passed for one score and ran for two others against Trinity.
“He's the key to their football team,” Heinauer said of Patrick. “He likes to throw a lot of fades and is also the leading ground-gainer for them.”
One of Patrick's top targets is senior slotback Aaren Putt, who is also a returning starter at cornerback.
Keefer is weary of the Planets, especially since they are coming off a disappointing effort.
“They didn't play the way they wanted to last week and I'm sure they will be striving to improve on that,” he said. “With Mars, they run virtually the same offense year to year and their kids execute it very well.”
“We have to forget about last week,” said Heinauer. “Entering conference play with a 2-1 record, that would be big for us.”
Junior fullback Teddy Ruffner leads Mars with five touchdowns and 355 rushing yards. No other Planet has reached 50 yards on the ground.
Mars quarterbacks Drew Schlegel and Quinn Fuller have combined for eight completions worth 74 yards and a pair of interceptions.
Mars defeated Greensburg Salem last year, 35-7.
