ADAMS TWP — Despite being down starting quarterback Luke Goodworth, Mars football kept pace with Montour throughout much of their Week 5 game at Mars Athletic Complext.

However, late mistakes doomed the Planets in a 31-14 loss.

“I was proud of how the kids played. That’s a good football team,” Mars head coach Eric Kasperowicz said. “We just can’t make critical mistakes at those critical times.”

The Spartans (5-0) jumped out to a two-touchdown lead after the first quarter, keyed by a 67-yard pass from Trey Hopper to James Bundridge. Kaleb Platz finished off that opening drive with a touchdown, putting Montour on the board after only two minutes.

Platz did the same on the Spartans’ next drive, giving Montour a commanding 14-0 lead. But running back Caden Halajcio was the real offensive star for Montour, rushing for 122 yards on 23 carries.

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By the second quarter, the Spartans were threatening to make the game a rout by scoring a third touchdown, until Hopper threw a costly interception to Logan Becker deep in Planets territory. Mars (1-4) took advantage of the Spartans’ first mistake and promptly drove more than 80 yards, finishing with a 6-yard touchdown run by Gabe Hein.

Montour was forced to punt for the first time on its next drive, giving Mars plenty of time for a potential game-tying drive before halftime. Walker led the Planets into the red zone before throwing a costly interception to James Bundridge, who returned it 83 yards for a touchdown which took the Spartans’ lead back to 14 points.

In the second half, the teams’ roles were reversed. While Montour’s offense suddenly sputtered, Mars’ offense finally began to click. Late in the third quarter, Nate Walker led the Planets on an 87-yard touchdown drive capped off by an 11-yard pass to Ethan Kresinski to cut the deficit to 21-14.

But Hopper led the Spartans on another sustained drive in the fourth, led by a 46-yard pass to Daniel Batch. The drive stalled at the Planets’ 10 and they settled for a Brayden Davin field goal to extend the lead to 24-14.

Mars threatened to cut Montours’ lead to three, thanks to the efforts of Hein and Ayden Yocum. By the time the Planets got inside the red zone, the Spartans’ defense finally stiffened and forced fourth down, and the drive came to nothing when Mason Childress’ field goal sailed wide left.

The game was effectively sealed when, on their last chance to win the game, Walker through his second pick-6 of the game — this one to A.J. Alston, who returned it 75 yards for the game-clinching touchdown.

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Eric Kasperowicz started the game at quarterback for the Planets and played one series before Walker took his place. Aside from the two costly interceptions, Walker was 12 of 18 for 157 yards and a touchdown.

While Mars head coach Eric Kasperowicz was proud of his team’s effort against the undefeated Spartans, he lamented the missed opportunities that led to defeat.

“When you make a mistake, a good football team is going to pounce on it, and they did,” the elder Kasperowicz said. “I thought our team played really hard, but next week’s when it really counts.”

Mars’ next chance will come on the road against West Mifflin on Sept. 27.

Montour 14 7 0 10 — 31

Mars 0 7 7 0 — 14

First quarter

Mo — Kaleb Platz 1 run (Brayden Davin kick) 9:52

Mo — Kaleb Platz 2 run (Brayden Davin kick) 2:48

Second quarter

Ma — Gabe Hein 6 run (Mason Childress kick) 4:39

Mo — James Bundridge 83 interception return (Brayden Davin kick) :57

Third quarter

Ma — Ethan Kresinski 7 pass from Nate Walker (Mason Childress kick) 1:44

Fourth quarter

Mo — Brayden Davin 16 field goal 8:07

Mo — A.J. Alston 75 interception return (Brayden Davin kick) 1:16

Individual statistics

Rushing: Montour, Caden Halajcio, 23-127, Daniel Batch, 3-25, Kaleb Platz, 4-12, Luca Nuovo, 1-4, A.J. Alston, 1-(-3), Trey Hopper, 1-(-4). Mars, Ayden Yocum, 16-125, Gabe Hein, 12-71, Hunter Schroder, 1-15, Eric Kasperowicz, 3-6, Mason Childress, 2-(-4), Nate Walker, 1-(-4).

Passing: Montour, Trey Hopper, 8-12-165-0. Mars, Nate Walker, 12-18-157-1, Eric Kasperowicz, 1-1-8-0.

Receiving: Montour, AJ Alston, 3-27, Daniel Batch 2-57, Marcus Battles 2-14, James Bundridge 1-67. Mars, Liam Hein, 4-34, Mason Childress, 2-50, Ayden Yocum, 2-22, Brady Jordan, 1-26, Gabe Hein, 1-16, Ethan Kresinski, 1-11, Blake Yates, 1-3, Brody Spencer, 1-3