Mars gets revenge by shutting out Armstrong in rout

By: Greg Smith
Saturday, October 14, 2023 | 12:25 AM

With 2 minutes, 30 seconds remaining on a stopped second-quarter clock, it was hard to imagine the same two teams on the field Friday night at the Mars Athletic Complex had scored a combined 86 points a year ago.

“We got it handed to us last year at their place, so yeah, this one was a little personal” second-year Mars coach Eric Kasperowicz said, referencing his team’s effort in holding the River Hawks scoreless in a 38-0 win Friday.

Last season, Armstrong handed Mars a 55-31 defeat after a 41-point outburst in the first half.

This time, Mars recovered from a slow start in the Greater Allegheny Conference matchup.

The Fightin’ Planets (6-2, 4-0) held a 7-0 lead over Armstrong (5-3, 2-2) late in the second quarter and seemed content to take the lead into the locker room when freshman quarterback Jaydon Oliver threw his second interception of the first half and gave Mars a short field.

Just a few plays later, a Luke Goodworth 35-yard touchdown pass to Jacob Maple extended the Planets’ lead to 14-0.

On most nights for the visiting River Hawks, 14 points would not be insurmountable. On this night, the Mars defense had an answer for everything.

“We just couldn’t get in rhythm,” Armstrong coach Frank Fabian said. “They kept us from getting first downs. … We’re a tempo offense. We just couldn’t get that first first down.”

Two first-half turnovers by Mars kept Armstrong close, but each River Hawks possession quickly was thwarted by the Planets’ defense.

“People know about our offense, and they can keep forgetting about our defense,” Kasperowicz said. “We are fine with that. We know how well they can play, and they proved that tonight.”

Armstrong received the opening kick to the second half, but a quick three-and-out went sideways when senior Connor Hartle blocked the ensuring punt.

On the next play, Evan Wright found the end zone to extend the lead to 21. Mars added a 23-yard field goal from Mason Childress late in the third quarter to push the lead to 24.

Armstrong had two plays of more than 20 yards and ended with 169 total yards. Mars gained 374 total yards, including Evan Wright’s 185 yards from scrimmage.

The fourth quarter featured two more Mars touchdowns: an Evan Wright 44-yard reception from Goodworth and Ayden Yokem’s 20-yard run with 3:04 remaining.

Mars sits atop the Greater Allegheny and will travel to Hampton next week for a chance to move closer to a conference championship. Armstrong returns home for a matchup with Highlands with the hope of a playoff birth still alive.

Tags: Armstrong, Mars