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Mars football 2024 preview: What to watch, 3 things to know and schedule

Mars football is striving for a state crown. The Planets, however, don’t speak of that goal.

Last season’s appearance in the WPIAL Class 4A semifinal was proof of the program’s steady improvement under Eric Kasperowicz. The third-year coach knows the path to becoming the best in Pennsylvania, having done so twice while he was in charge of nearby Pine-Richland.

Mars won only one game the year before Kasperowicz took the reins and finished 10-3 last season. There’s a method to how he expects the team to make another jump in 2024.

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Mars football: What to watch in PA football season 2024

The Planets aren’t peering into any telescopes. They’re much more content pulling out their magnifying glasses.

“You’ve got to focus on what’s happening now,” senior linebacker Logan Becker said. “You’re at practice and you’ve got to be (like), ‘How can I make this my best practice that I’ve ever had?’ Just keep moving forward and keep improving in practice.

“It’s not the same team as last year, you have to realize that. That kind of helps you think about now instead of the future or the past.”

Fellow senior and defensive back Brady Jordan views it as a gradual process, one that sets up success on the tail end.

“You’ve got to focus on what the goals are at the moment and, step-by-step, build yourself up and crescendo at the top,” Jordan said.

The frame of mind encouraged and spearheaded by Kasperowicz and his assistant coaches doesn’t allow players to harp on mistakes, only to atone for them later on. He acknowledged everyone has a bad day — whether it be missing a tackle, throwing an interception or dropping a pass.

Kasperowicz wants his players to move on and concern themselves with the next play. Or review film and shift the focus to the following time out.

“It’s more of a day-by-day,” he said. “The rest takes care of itself.”

It also fosters a secure attitude. Becker stressed the team has to get over the hump by beating teams it didn’t last year. Two of them — Montour and Aliquippa — line up back-to-back on Mars’ calendar in September.

“You can’t be scared of anybody,” senior tailback/defensive back Eric Kasperowicz Jr. said. “We’ve just got to have confidence in ourselves, what we’ve been doing the whole year and just go out and play Mars football.”

The level of competition is something the Planets have grown accustomed to.

“Being in 4A, it’s a tough division because every team’s got solid players,” junior defensive tackle Adam Budzilek said. “Playing teams like Aliquippa and Central Valley, it really opened our eyes because we saw how good other teams could be. But we stepped up to the challenge.”

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3 things to know about 2024 Mars Planets football
Mars football players, front from left, Luke Goodworth, Brady Jordan, Eric Kasperowicz Jr., Logan Becker and Mason Childress along with, back from left, Adam Budzilek, and coach Eric Kasperowicz pose for a group photo during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, Aug. 9, 2024. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

1. Relevant redress

Evan Wright gained a lot of ground last year, rushing for 1,863 yards and 33 scores. He’s since graduated. The team’s two leading tacklers from last year — Jacob Maple and Connor Hartle — also turned their tassels earlier this summer.

Others will have to make a name for themselves.

“That’s what a program is about,” coach Eric Kasperowicz said. “You’re going to have good players and they’re going to leave. You need the next guys to step up. ... It’s up to myself and my staff and how (we’re) prepping these players so when the Evan Wrights and the Jake Maples do move on, the guys behind them are ready.”

The head coach said development has also come in practice, JV games and reps, while Friday night games have been well in hand. That’s not to say there isn’t any with valuable experience stepping in.

Senior Eric Kasperowicz Jr. and junior Ayden Yocum will share the backfield. The former scampered for more than 400 yards as a starting signal caller in 2022, while the latter had 50 totes last year.

2. Welcome back

Three starters are back in both the defensive front and the secondary.

Senior Ethan Painley and juniors Ethan Kresinski and Budzilek will be back in their three-point stances in the trenches. Seniors Eric Kasperowicz Jr., Mason Childress and Brady Jordan patrol the defensive backfield. Communication and established chemistry will be bactors at both levels.

“You know you can rely on those guys in certain situations,” Budzilek said. “It doesn’t put that much stress on you, and it’s just really nice to have.”

3. Good things from Goodworth

Senior Luke Goodworth’s 2,168-yard passing effort last year was the best in any season in Mars’ existence. This time around, he’s more aware of what to expect and has a better handle on the playbook and the personnel surrounding him.

“There’s a lot of responsibility with being a quarterback,” Goodworth said. “I think just making sure everyone is on the same page (is important) — being vocal and being able to talk to my teammates about whatever.”

Goodworth added he expects to air the ball out more as the new-look ground game finds its footing.

“We’ll go as far as Luke will take us,” coach Eric Kasperowicz said.

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Mars football players, front from left, Luke Goodworth, Eric Kasperowicz Jr. 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, Aug. 9, 2024. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Mars football schedule 2024
  • Friday, Aug. 23, 7 p.m. - at Boone (Fla.)
  • Friday, Aug. 30, 7 p.m. - vs. Bethel Park
  • Friday, Sept. 6, 7 p.m. - vs. North Hills
  • Friday, Sept. 13, 7 p.m. - at Aliquippa
  • Friday, Sept. 20, 7 p.m. - vs. Montour
  • Friday, Sept. 27, 7 p.m. - at West Mifflin*
  • Friday, Oct. 4, 7 p.m. - at Knoch*
  • Friday, Oct. 11, 7 p.m. - vs. McKeesport*
  • Friday, Oct. 18, 7 p.m. - at Hampton*
  • Friday, Oct. 25, 7 p.m. - vs. Indiana*

* connotes division/conference game

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