Mars attacks!
ADAMS TWP — Plum's mascot might be a mustang, but it was the Mars football team that was running wild Friday night.
The Planets amassed 190 rushing yards in the first half en route to a 27-0 win at the Mars Athletic Complex.
Leading the way was fullback Austin Miele, who tallied 153 yards on 16 carries. His 1-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter gave Mars (2-1) a 14-0 lead.
Miele couldn't to add to his first-half stats due to a right hamstring injury that benched him for the final two quarters.
"I think he'll be all right," Mars coach Scott Heinauer said. "He said it felt a little tight and it's one of those things. You don't want to take any chances.
"But it's tough for a competitive kid like Austin," he added. "He wanted to be out there."
Fortunately, the Planets had other running backs roaming free through Plum's defense. Kevin Randolph, Seth Geyer and Randy Seebacher combined to rush 17 times for 137 yards.
Geyer scored both of Mars' touchdowns in the second half: on a 13-yard run in the third quarter and a 1-yard plunge in the fourth period.
Even quarterback Eric Guzak contributed in the ground game, capping Mars' first drive of the night with a 12-yard scramble for a touchdown in the first quarter.
On that drive, Miele managed 68 yards on three carries, including a 43-yard run that set up Mars with a first down at the Plum 22.
"Mars' offensive line is big and quick, and we knew that coming in," said Mustangs coach Frank Sacco. "(Miele) is the perfect back for that offense."
Plum (1-2) found little success on offense.
After a 19-yard run by tailback Ryan Allen on the first play of the game, the Mustangs managed six yards on 13 plays the rest of the first half.
The Plum deficit remained at 14-0 when Christopher Karns' 24-yard field goal attempt sailed wide left as the first half came to a close.
The Mars defense used two turnovers to halt Plum drives in the second half — Josh Pinkerton intercepted Chris Zdinak's errant pass early in the fourth quarter and the junior defensive back recovered a fumble later in the period.
"Our kids rose to the occasion tonight," Heinauer said. "We were able to handle Plum up front, and that proved to be enough."
The Planets host Fox Chapel at 7:30 p.m. next Friday.
