ADAMS TWP — As if the potent Mars offense wasn’t tough enough to defend, the Planets unleashed their skill players on special teams Friday night — with very impressive results.

Gabe Hein and Eric Kasperowicz both scored touchdowns on the opening kickoff and one late in the first half, respectively, to help the Planets cruise past visiting Highlands 48-15 in Greater Allegheny Conference play.

“A lot of times, you focus on the bad things that can happen on special teams,” said Mars coach Eric Kasperowicz. “When something good happens like it did tonight, it’s like a bonus.”

The younger Kasperowicz’s 80-yard return for a touchdown was a true back-breaker for the Golden Rams (4-2, 1-2). After falling behind 27-0 early in the second quarter, they battled back with two touchdowns in a span of five minutes to pull to within 14 points before the junior scored with just 17 seconds left in the half.

Hein left the game early in the second period with an injury, but before he did, turned in an incredible effort.

Following his 71-yard return of the opening kickoff, he caught scoring passes of 25 and 71 yards from junior quarterback Luke Goodworth that gave the Planets a 20-0 lead less than six minutes into the game.

“Gabe’s such an incredible player and he can do so many things on the football field,” said Goodworth. “They gave it to us last year (a 54-22 loss to Highlands) and we knew we had to be in go-mode right from the start tonight. That kickoff return gave us a ton of momentum.”

Teams are learning that when it comes to defending against the Planets (4-2, 2-0), it’s pick your poison. The team can beat you in the air or on the ground.

“From watching film, we knew that they play cover-zero most of the time and figured our passing game could succeed early,” said Coach Kasperowicz.

Golden Rams quarterback Menage Lucas was intercepted twice in the first period, once by Nathan Ewing and again by Mason Childress, which contributed to the Planets’ early control of the game.

Luke Bombalski got Highlands on the board with a 38-yard run with 5:33 left in the second quarter. The Rams further closed the gap when third-string quarterback Jamarkus Prager hit Aiden Burford with a 15-yard scoring strike to make it 27-13.

The came the kickoff return from Kasperowicz.

Highlands’ regular starting quarterback, Aaran Randolph, missed the game with injury.

Lucas did return to the game in the second half, but completed just one of his six passes for 40 yards.

Evan Wright rushed for 117 yards and two touchdowns for Mars. Ayden Yocum added a late 35-yard score.

Hein was not the only Planet to leave the game and not return. So did Childress, who is also the team’s place-kicker, and Wright, who is now well over 800 rushing yards this season.

“We have a big conference game at Kiski (this) week and we have to get healthy,” said Coach Kasperowicz. “If not, it’s gotta be next man up.”

Highlands 0 13 2 0 — 15

Mars 20 15 6 7 — 48

First Quarter

M — Gabe Hein 71 kickoff return (Mason Childress kick), 11:46

M — Hein 25 pass from Luke Goodworth (run failed), 10:06

M — Hein 71 pass from Goodworth (Childress kick), 6:17

Second Quarter

M — Evan Wright 5 run (Childress kick), 11:53

H — Luke Bombalski 38 run (run failed), 5:33

H — Aiden Burford 15 pass from Jamarkus Prager (Jackson Babinsack kick), :31

M — Eric Kasperowicz 80 kickoff return (Wright run), :17

Third Quarter

M — Wright 10 run (kick failed), 9:18

H — Safety, Wright tackled in end zone, 2:14

Fourth Quarter

M — Ayden Yocum 35 run (Gus Coffield kick), 5:38

Individual Statistics

Rushing: Highlands, Luke Bombalski 19-105, Menage Lucas 15-50, Aiden Burford 1-(-1), Julius Sanders 10-57, Jamarkus Prager 2-1, Boyd Brown 1-6. Mars, Nathan Ewing 1-1, Evan Wright 21-117, Eric Kasperowicz 1-1, Mason Childress 2-1, Luke Goodworth 2-(-3), Ayden Yocum 6-48.

Passing: Highlands, Menage Lucas 1-6-40-2, Jamarkus Prager 1-1-15-0. Mars, Luke Goodworth 7-13-129-1.

Receiving: Highlands, Montrell Johnson 1-40, Aiden Burford 1-15. Mars, Eric Kasperowicz 1-1, Gabe Hein 4-114, Aidan Alessio 1-4, Tyan Tsai 1-10.