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A late-season slide has landed the Mars football team in a very difficult spot.

At one point, the Planets were 3-1 in Northern Conference play, with a top five or six seed and a home game to begin the playoffs there for the taking.

But losses to Fox Chapel and Kiski Area have knocked Mars down to a No. 12 seed in the WPIAL Class 5A tournament.

No. 5 Peters Township (9-1) awaits the Planets (6-4) in a first-round game Friday at the Indians' home field.

“Those two losses aren't still in the minds of our kids,” said Mars coach Scott Heinauer. “We have to move forward. I don't think we've played a full game yet this season and that's our concentration this week.”

Heinauer believes his team regained some confidence by closing the regular season last week with a 27-7 defeat of Hampton.

Peters Township enters the postseason riding a three-game winning streak, following its lone loss of the season, a 21-13 setback against Moon Oct. 4.

The Indians defeated Baldwin 38-0 last week.

“Their offense is 50/50 between run and pass,” said Heinauer. “They're big, physical and quick. Going down there is a big challenge for us.”

Peters Township quarterback Logan Pfeuffer has passed for 1,500 yards and 19 touchdowns while being picked off just twice.

Ryan Magiske paces the ground game with 1,092 yards and a 6.2-yard average.

Mars linebackers Ben Chizmar and Teddy Ruffner will have a lot to say about the unit's ability to get off the field.

The most impressive aspect of the Indians' season so far is its defense, which is allowing just 8.7 points per contest. Peters has given up seven or less points in six games.

“It's exactly what we expected out of our defense,” said Indians' coach TJ Plack. “We were top 10 in the WPIAL in defense last year and our guys have another year of experience. They don't like giving up points and are passionate about it.”

The Indians will be tested by a Planet running game that was, at times, dominant during the season as junior fullback Ruffner amassed 1,845 yards and 24 touchdowns.

“He's running as hard as he was early in the season,” said Heinauer. “We have to get off on the right foot.”

That will certainly involve Ruffner getting the ball, but sophomore quarterback Quinn Fuller could play a role early in an attempt to loosen up an Indians defense geared to stop the run.

In the last three games, Fuller has thrown for 321 yards and four touchdowns.

Wingback Nick Spotti has provided a spark with 593 yards from scrimmage and six touchdowns.

“They're not flashy, but they have a method,” said Plack of the Planets. “They are able to shorten the game, which could take opportunities away from us. It's a quality program.”

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.