Mars’ Eric Kasperowicz (5) breaks off a long run following blocks from teammates Mason Childress (3) and Sean Franklin (63) during a defeat of Knoch earlier this month. The Planets will face Montour in a WPIAL Class 4A playoff next Friday. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Mars’ football team opened the season with an impressive win over Boone High School in Florida two months ago. What was in store for the Planets when they returned home could have turned their 2024 season into a run of disappointment.

Consecutive losses to Bethel Park, North Hills, Aliquippa and Montour had the Planets dragging a 1-4 record into the second half of the season. But none of those defeats came against Greater Allegheny Conference opponents.

“It’s our job as coaches to keep the team upbeat no matter what our record is,” said Planets coach Eric Kasperowicz. “Everything we wanted to accomplish was still ahead of us at that point.”

Mars began to right its ship with a 42-14 win over West Mifflin in late September, beginning a string of four victories in five games, all conference matchups. That effort, which culminated with a blowout win Friday over Indiana, earned for the Planets second place in the conference standings and the guaranteed WPIAL playoff berth that comes with it.

The district released the football playoff brackets Saturday afternoon and the Planets (5-5) were tagged as the No. 7 seed and will be involved in a rematch with No. 2 Montour (8-1) at 7 p.m. Friday at the Spartans’ stadium.

Montour won the first meeting against the Planets, 31-14 on Sept. 20. The Spartans’ lone defeat this season came Friday against West Allegheny, 13-7 in overtime.

“Without that slip-up, they could have been the No. 1 seed,” said Kasperowicz. “We thought we would be No. 5, but seeding doesn’t mean a whole lot. Seeds one through four get a home game and five through eight play on the road. We knew we’d be on the road.

“We didn’t play our best game against Montour earlier in the season, but we’ve grown from the adversity we faced this year. We’re battle-tested and are excited to be in the tournament.”

Following are football playoff matchups involving local teams.

No. 4 Seneca Valley (3-6) vs. No. 1 Central Catholic (8-2), 7 p.m. Nov. 8 at a site to be determined

No. 7 Mars (5-5) at No. 2 Montour (8-1), 7 p.m. Friday

No. 11 North Catholic (4-6) at No. 6 Deer Lakes (8-2), 7 p.m. Friday