ADAMS TWP. — Mars fell behind early against Chartiers Valley on Friday night, then battled back to within three points by halftime. But quarterback Owen Weagraff and the Colts’ big-play offense proved too much for the Planets in a 38-24 loss at the Mars Athletic Complex.
“By no means do I think we should be 0-3, and that’s what I told the guys,” Mars coach Zach Benedek said afterward.
Weagraff ran for a 6-yard touchdown about five minutes into the game, then connected with Niko Hines for a 56-yard score three minutes later. Chartiers Valley led 14-0 with 4:02 remaining in the first quarter.
Mars began its comeback in the second quarter. Senior running back Jameson Garvin scored on a 6-yard run, his first rushing touchdown of the season, to cut the deficit to 14-7. The Colts added a field goal with one minute remaining in the half, but Mars answered before the break when junior quarterback Nate Walker connected with Kellan Garvin for a 35-yard touchdown. The Planets entered
“It felt good,” Jameson Garvin said of reaching the end zone. “We’ve got to keep working as a whole team. We’ve got to pull out a win next week.”
Garvin scored five touchdowns last season, but said the first one of a new season remains special.
Benedek said an early miscue disrupted a promising opening possession and forced Mars to play from behind.
Mars’ Kellan Garvin (No. 5) catches a 35-yard touchdown pass in the end zone late in the second quarter on Friday. The touchdown pulled the Planets within three points, 17-14, at halftime against Chartiers Valley.
“It’s tough to play from behind,” Benedek said. “When we’re driving down the field on our first drive, like a hot knife through butter, and then we had the snap that put us back. That’s tough. It’s a killer. And then we rallied back, but coming out, we were a little stale out of halftime, which hurt us getting behind again. Playing from behind in both halves — you can’t win a football game like that.”
Chartiers Valley regained control immediately after halftime. Weagraff rushed for his second touchdown and found Hines again, this time for a 27-yard score, as the Colts stretched their lead to 31-14 during the first six minutes of the third quarter.
Mars answered with a field goal near the end of the third quarter, cutting the deficit to 31-17. Forty-four seconds into the fourth, Walker connected with Brady Brennan for a 78-yard touchdown, pulling the Planets within 31-24.
Chartiers Valley responded just 1:16 later with the game’s final touchdown, restoring a two-score advantage and securing the Colts’ first victory of the season.
“I just told them, I said, ‘Guys, it’s the same story in these three weeks,’” Benedek said. “We cannot play from behind, have the miscues and give up big plays. We obviously have the ability to make the big plays, but we didn’t match them.”
Walker, who entered during the second half against Aliquippa a week earlier, remained behind center against Chartiers Valley. Benedek said Walker had earned the opportunity and played well.
Jameson Garvin said the Planets have continued competing despite the difficult start.
Benedek has not lost faith in his team as Mars prepares for a Route 8 rivalry matchup at Hampton next week.
“I’m not worried about our talent and our team,” Benedek said. “It’s just putting four good quarters together of football. We can’t dip down and then come back up. We’re on a roller-coaster ride. We need to get up and stay up, and have that energy the whole time.”
