Must win? Mars, Hollidaysburg coaches say 'Yes'
ADAMS TWP — Two weeks remain to settle the playoff picture in the Greater Allegheny Conference.
Five teams — Knoch, Mars, Indiana, Gateway and Hollidaysburg — are currently tied for third place in the standings with 3-3 records.
That logjam has turned Mars' home game Friday against Hollidaysburg into a critical late-season clash.
In fact, Planets' coach Scott Heinauer is taking it one step further.
“It's a must-win game,” he said. “You want to make the playoffs, you have to win this game.”
Both the Planets and Tigers are licking their wounds after conference setbacks last Friday. Mars dropped a 14-7 decision to rival Knoch and Hollidaysburg a 24-14 loss to front-runner Hampton.
Mars has avoided a scare with an injury to fullback Ori Rinaman, who did not play in the second half of last week's game due to a knee injury. Rinaman has rushed for 907 yards and 14 touchdowns this season and also starts at cornerback on defense.
“He will play Friday,” Heinauer said, news that will surely allow the Mars faithful to breathe a sigh of relief.
Homer DeLattre is in his second season as head coach at Hollidaysburg. He previously held the reins at Corry High School in Erie County for 11 seasons.
He too has no problem placing a weighted importance on his team's meeting with the Planets.
“You don't want to go into Week 9 having to win there to make the playoffs,” he said. “We have Indiana next week and Mars has Hampton. I totally agree with Scott that this is a must-win game for us.”
The Tigers also have dealt with several doses of adversity this year. Ten players were handed suspensions over the first three games due to an off-the-field incident in August. Several starters have sustained serious injuries, including senior defensive end Michael Roberts, who had 27 tackles and four quarterback sacks before a wrist injury against Gateway Sept. 26 ended his season.
“We have moved some guys around in our 4-3 base defense and they have battled through the adversity,” DeLattre said. “We're excited about that. We had leads against both Gateway (a 33-28 loss) and Hampton. We are 4-3, but a couple of plays here and there and we could be 6-1.”
The Tigers run a spread offense and rely on their ground game for most of their yards. Senior quarterback Josh Bickley has thrown for 633 yards with four touchdowns and seven interceptions, but has also contributed 397 yards and four touchdowns on the ground.
Colton Ruggery, Zach Kovach and Zack Weaver split time at halfback and have combined for 706 yards and seven touchdowns.
“We have to be able to stop the run to win this game,” said Heinauer.
The rushing attack was dealt a recent blow when senior offensive tackle Zach Simpson was lost for the season with a lower-body injury.
Meanwhile, Mars' offense will be counting on improved play from quarterback Jake Rosswog, whose efficient play took a hit last week against Knoch when he completed just 5-of-16 passes and threw three interceptions.
“That happens,” said Heinauer. “Jake has played well for us this year. He's a senior and he'll overcome last week.”
Mars defeated Hollidaysburg last year 69-14.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
