UNIONTOWN — Strictly business.

That's how Mars football coach Scott Heinauer approached his team's non-conference game at Laurel Highlands Friday night.

The Planets responded with a thorough beating of the Mustangs.

Ori Rinaman rushed for 198 yards and two touchdowns and Mars' defense held Laurel Highlands to just 93 yards and four first downs in the first half of a 44-6 victory in Fayette County.

The Mustangs, who compete in the Big Nine Conference, entered the contest with a 3-1 record, but were manhandled on both sides of the ball.

“We felt we needed to prove something for our conference,” said Heinauer. “We had already stubbed our toe twice this season. We didn't drive an hour and a half to rest kids. We've got to keep this rolling.”

The Planets wasted no time setting the tone for the game. Following the opening kickoff, they shredded the Mustang defense on a 10-play, 64-yard drive that ended with Jake Rosswog's scoring pass to Eli Brooks on a 4th-and-6 play from Laurel Highlands' 17.

Rinaman carried the ball five times for 44 yards on the drive.

It was a sign of things to come.

His ninth carry produced a 19-yard touchdown run and the Planets (3-2) led 14-0 late in the first quarter.

The Mustangs' offense was stymied for much of the first half. They did reach Mars' 13 midway through the second quarter, but quarterback Jimmy Pierce was stopped short on a fourth-down play and the Planets took over on downs.

The center of Mustang frustration was focused on Mars nose guard Marshall Robinson.

The 6-foot-3, 380-pound senior blew up several plays, including an 8-yard sack of Pierce in the second quarter. Later in the period, he showed his range by tackling running back Jason Leone eight yards downfield and short of a first down.

Robinson and his teammates held Pierce to just 61 yards passing in the first half. One of his completions went for 32 yards. The other four yielded just 29.

“We wanted to take their quarterback out of the game,” said Heinauer. “That was our goal on defense.”

Rinaman added a 17-yard scoring run in the second quarter and Caleb Brake kicked a 43-yard field goal at the end of the first half for a 24-0 lead.

“Mars is a playoff-caliber team,” said Laurel Highlands coach Zach Just. “We wanted to prove that we belong, but we just did not play well tonight. We were not prepared and that's on me.”

Heinauer also saw solid play from Rosswog, who completed 5-of-10 passes for 137 yards.

His second touchdown of the night went for 56 yards to John Castello in the third quarter.

The one blemish was when Sauncierre Cannon intercepted Rosswog's pass in the second period.

Isaiah Johnson (25 yards) and Nate Rosswog (7) added scoring runs for the Planets.