JEFFERSON TWP — Andrew Mullen should have no problem remembering his last high school football game.

One play in particular, however, should stand out in his mind.

Knoch's senior defensive lineman lined up to defend a 4th-and-1 play for Mars from the Planet 24.

Only two minutes remained in the game and trailing 14-10, Mars was forced to go for the first down.

But the play never had a chance thanks to Mullen, who shot through the Planet line and nearly took the handoff before smothering Planet fullback Garrett Reinke for a 4-yard loss.

“I catch on to the snap count during the course of the game,” Mullen said. “I just timed it perfectly.”

Two plays after the turnover-on-downs, Knoch's Saavon Mosby scored on an 18-yard run to seal the Knights' 21-10 victory over the rival Planets Friday night at Knoch Stadium.

The Planets' final drive fizzled out in Knoch territory with under a minute to play.

Mars (6-4, 5-3) rushed for just 69 yards in the game. The Planets entered the game averaging nearly 200 per contest.

“We talked about changing the snap count and we did during the game,” said Planet coach Scott Heinauer. “We just didn't run the ball well, didn't sustain our blocks.”

It was the final game of the season for Knoch (4-5, 4-4). Mars heads to the WPIAL Class 4A playoffs, but due to Friday's loss, the Planets will have to play a first-round game on the road.

“It was obvious. We needed 100 percent from everyone and that's what we got,” said Knoch coach Frank Whalen. “We ask God before every game to give us the strength to be our best because our best is good enough.

“Andrew has made so much improvement this year, our entire defense has,” said Whalen. “We have a senior, Tommy Peiffer, who had never started, but he played tonight and he played well.”

Mars led 10-0 in the first half following a 29-yard field goal from Chris Check, followed by quarterback Tyler Kowalkowski's 1-yard scoring run.

But Knoch mounted a 13-play, 77-yard drive that ended with Jake Herrit's 9-yard touchdown run just before halftime.

The score remained 10-7 in favor of Mars into the fourth quarter.

With 7:49 left in the game, the Knights began what turned out to be the game-winning drive on their own 20.

Herrit's 49-yard run set the Knights up at Mars' 24. On a 3rd-and-6 play, Jim Johnston ran for 10 yards on his only carry of the game. Three plays later, Ivan Stapchuck scored from three yards out. Matt Gore's extra point gave the Knights a 14-10 lead with 3:35 left in the game.

“The Triple Option is a team offense,” said Herrit, who rushed for 141 yards in the game. “If one guy is getting stopped, the next guy gets the ball.

“This win means everything to me. I love the guys in that locker room. We're a family.”

Mars was penalized 10 times for 100 yards, Knoch 11 for 95.

“We had a great week of practice and we felt good coming in here,” said Heinauer. “We made too many mistakes tonight, needed to move the football and we didn't.”

Mars 0 10 0 0 — 10

Knoch 0 7 0 14 — 21

Second Quarter

M — Chris Check 29 field goal, 11:50

M — Tyler Kowalkowski 1 run (Check kick), 7:21

K — Jake Herrit 9 run (Matt Gore kick), :55

Fourth Quarter

K — Ivan Stapchuck 3 run (Gore kick), 3:35

K — Saavon Mosby 18 run (Gore kick), 1:34

Individual Statistics

Rushing: Mars, Tyler Kowalkowski 11-(-15), Andrew Moyer 2-6, Chuck Green 7-33, Cade Hetzler 1-12, Garrett Reinke 11-33. Knoch, Ivan Stapchuck 12-37, Jake Herrit 17-141, Chase Mullen 2-11, Saavon Mosby 6-32, Jim Johnston 1-10, TEAM 1-(-2).

Passing: Mars, Tyler Kowalkowski 10-23-159-0. Knoch, Jake Herrit 3-6-49-0.

Receiving: Mars, Cade Hetzler 5-96, Thomas Sheehy 3-23, Michael Carmody 1-11, Andrew Moyer 1-29. Knoch, Evan Wynn 1-18, Eric Green 1-14, Jared Schrecengost 1-17.