Mars football players, front row from left, Luke Goodworth, Eric Kasperowicz, and Brady Jordan; back row from left, Adam Budzilek, Logan Becker, Coach Eric Kasperowicz and Mason Childress pose for a group shot during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)

Mars football players, front from left, Luke Goodworth, Brady Jordan, Eric Kasperowicz, Logan Becker and Mason Childress along with Adam Budzilek, back left, and Coach Eric Kasperowicz pose for a group photo during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)

Mars football players, front from left, Luke Goodworth, Eric Kasperowicz, and Brady Jordan, and back from left, Adam Budzilek, Logan Becker, Coach Eric Kasperowicz, and Mason Childress pose for a group photo during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)

Mars football players including Mason Childress, Eric Kasperowicz, Brady Jordan, Luke Goodworth, Logan Becker and Adam Budzilek pose for a group photo during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)

Mars football players Luke Goodworth, Mason Childress, Eric Kasperowicz, Brady Jordan, Logan Becker and Adam Budzilek pose for a group shot during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)

Mars football player Adam Budzilek poses for a headshot during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)

Mars football coach Eric Kasperowicz poses for a headshot during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)

Mars football player Luke Goodworth poses for a headshot during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)

Mars Brady Jordan poses for a headshot during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)

Mars football player Eric Kasperowicz poses for a headshot during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)

Mars football player Logan Becker poses for a headshot during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)

Mars football player Mason Childress poses for a headshot during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)

Ryan Walker poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)

Raymond Chase poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)

Jameson Dickman poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)

Jameson Garvin poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)

Adam Budzilek poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)

Blake Yates poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)

Cole Spencer poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)

Andy Diaz poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)

Logan Becker poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)

Brady Jordan poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)

Dominic DeBasi poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)

Mason Childress poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)

Ethan Kresinski poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)

Eric Kasperowicz Jr. poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)

Landon Haddad poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)

Paxton Hartle poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)

Senaka Wilson poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)

Jimmy Sommers poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)

Chase Stamper poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)

Zack Hugus poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)

Chris Recchia poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)

Tyler Hardek poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)

Luciano Cuzzocrea poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)

Ethan Painley poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)

Adam Genevro poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)

Shawn Mackalica poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)

Sean Franklin poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)

Zach Dentel poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)

Jonnie Maestra poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)

Logan O'Brien poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)

Jameson Astarb poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)

Jacob Noe poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)

Dayton Schuckert poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)

Tyan Tsai poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)

Luke Goodworth poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)

Nathan Tak poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)

Gavin Best poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)

Ayden Yocum poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)

Josh Blanco poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)

Liam Hein poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)

Jason Droske poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)

Colton Ewing poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)

Gabe Hein poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)

Brian Biaku poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)

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  Mars football players, front row from left, Luke Goodworth, Eric Kasperowicz, and Brady Jordan; back row from left, Adam Budzilek, Logan Becker, Coach Eric Kasperowicz and Mason Childress pose for a group shot during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
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  Mars football players, front from left, Luke Goodworth, Brady Jordan, Eric Kasperowicz, Logan Becker and Mason Childress along with Adam Budzilek, back left, and Coach Eric Kasperowicz pose for a group photo during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
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  Mars football players, front from left, Luke Goodworth, Eric Kasperowicz, and Brady Jordan, and back from left, Adam Budzilek, Logan Becker, Coach Eric Kasperowicz, and Mason Childress pose for a group photo during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
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  Mars football players including Mason Childress, Eric Kasperowicz, Brady Jordan, Luke Goodworth, Logan Becker and Adam Budzilek pose for a group photo during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
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  Mars football players Luke Goodworth, Mason Childress, Eric Kasperowicz, Brady Jordan, Logan Becker and Adam Budzilek pose for a group shot during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
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  Mars football player Adam Budzilek poses for a headshot during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
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  Mars football coach Eric Kasperowicz poses for a headshot during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
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  Mars football player Luke Goodworth poses for a headshot during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
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  Mars Brady Jordan poses for a headshot during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
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  Mars football player Eric Kasperowicz poses for a headshot during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
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  Mars football player Logan Becker poses for a headshot during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
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  Mars football player Mason Childress poses for a headshot during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
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  Ryan Walker poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)
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  Raymond Chase poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)
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  Jameson Dickman poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)
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  Jameson Garvin poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)
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  Adam Budzilek poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)
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  Blake Yates poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)
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  Cole Spencer poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)
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  Andy Diaz poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)
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  Logan Becker poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)
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  Brady Jordan poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)
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  Dominic DeBasi poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)
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  Mason Childress poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)
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  Ethan Kresinski poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)
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  Eric Kasperowicz Jr. poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)
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  Landon Haddad poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)
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  Paxton Hartle poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)
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  Senaka Wilson poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)
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  Jimmy Sommers poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)
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  Chase Stamper poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)
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  Zack Hugus poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)
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  Chris Recchia poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)
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  Tyler Hardek poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)
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  Luciano Cuzzocrea poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)
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  Ethan Painley poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)
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  Adam Genevro poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)
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  Shawn Mackalica poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)
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  Sean Franklin poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)
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  Zach Dentel poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)
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  Jonnie Maestra poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)
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  Logan O'Brien poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)
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  Jameson Astarb poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)
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  Jacob Noe poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)
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  Dayton Schuckert poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)
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  Tyan Tsai poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)
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  Luke Goodworth poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)
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  Nathan Tak poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)
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  Gavin Best poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)
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  Ayden Yocum poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)
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  Josh Blanco poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)
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  Liam Hein poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)
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  Jason Droske poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)
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  Colton Ewing poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)
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  Gabe Hein poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)
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  Brian Biaku poses for a headshot during the football media day at Mars Area Middle School on Thursday, August 8. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/8/2024)

ADAMS TWP — More often than not, Gabe Hein is going to be open.

He reminds Mars quarterback Luke Goodworth of that fact quite often.

“We’re probably on the same path with stuff,” said Hein, a junior wideout who’s already cemented as the Planets’ all-time leading receiver. “On the plays where I have an option of what I can run, we’re pretty (in sync) with what we’re going to do. I just tell him, ‘If you’re ever rolling out ... when you’re being pressured by the defensive line, just know I’m down there somewhere.”

The signal-caller has trust in Hein, with the pair having connected 43 times for 774 yards and eight scores last fall.

“I know he’s going to catch about every ball I throw to him,” Goodworth said.

“He’s going to make a tough catch,” Mars offensive assistant coach Andrew Rossi said. “He’s going to go up for contested balls and come down with it. That’s who he is. ... I hope schools don’t overlook him because he can help out anybody when it’s his time to graduate here.”

With Butler Eagle Scoring Trophy winner Evan Wright graduated, Hein steps up as Mars football’s go-to guy in key moments.

“He always seems just to make big plays,” Planets head coach Eric Kasperowicz said. “When we need a play, he gets behind the defense somehow and we’re able to hit him with it. He’s a playmaker. ... Who knows where we would’ve ended up at the end (of last season) if he was healthy.”

Mars receiver Gabe Hein (30) enters his junior year with 79 receptions for 1,325 yards and 15 touchdowns already. Butler Eagle file photo

Kasperowicz was referring to an injury that ended Hein’s sophomore season in Mars’ Week 8 game in October, a 38-0 home win over Armstrong.

On a pass play, Hein split the two high safeties with a post route as Goodworth bought some time with his legs before floating the ball the receiver’s way.

“I jumped up and landed on my foot wrong and snapped (my leg),” Hein said. “I tried to get up and walk it off because I knew there was something wrong, but then I fell back down. I couldn’t walk.”

Hein managed to hop to the sideline. He entered that contest among the entire WPIAL’s leaders in receiving but wasn’t able to return to action the rest of the campaign as the Planets marched to a 10-3 mark and the WPIAL Class 4A semifinals. The injury was initially ruled as a sprain, but a trip to the doctor revealed a spiral fracture in his tibia that tailed into his foot’s growth plate.

It was three months before Hein was able to walk without support. He was at physical therapy a month after that.

“Whenever I see crutches now, I get angry,” Hein said, jokingly.

It was a setback in an otherwise impressive varsity career to date. Hein has caught 79 passes for 1,325 yards and 15 scores in two seasons.

But he didn’t make the varsity roster out of camp as a freshman in 2022, instead starting out on JV. It was short-lived; he grabbed one pass, for negative-2 yards, in his first varsity game in Week 2.

“The first couple of games, he didn’t crack the varsity lineup,” Rossi said. “But all we heard about JV-wise was Gabe Hein, Gabe Hein, Gabe Hein.”

He finished that season with 551 receiving yards and seven touchdowns on 36 grabs, including a breakout four-catch, 205-yard, three-TD game against Kiski in Week 6.

Hein doesn’t appear to be the quickest, but it seems he’s always taking the top off a secondary.

“He’s kind of sneaky fast,” Kasperowicz said. “If you time him, he’s probably a 4.6 (40-yard dash) kid. But he seems to run by most people on the field.”

Hein has heard from Akron and Miami (Ohio), the latter of which has invited him to see a game. He hopes his recruitment blossoms this season as the Planets seek to make their first WPIAL championship appearance since 2002 and claim their first title ever.