Trinity returned the opening kickoff 89 yards for a touchdown Friday night, putting Mars Area behind just 14 seconds into the game. The Planets rallied from an 18-point deficit to tie the score in the fourth quarter, but the Hillers answered with a late touchdown to win 27–21.
Mars began its comeback with 1:18 left in the half, when Nate Walker connected with Smyth Dunaway for a 61-yard touchdown. The Planets trailed 21–10 at halftime.
Trinity retook the lead on Owen Gardner’s 1-yard touchdown run with 3:17 remaining.
Mars’ Brady Brennan blocked the extra-point attempt, keeping the deficit at six, but the Planets could not complete another comeback.
“We just didn’t play a complete game of football,” Mars coach Zach Benedek said. “We came out slow in the first half. And then in the second half, we were the team that we know we are.”
Benedek said Mars made no major adjustment at halftime. The difference was execution and a more physical effort.
“We can be that team for four quarters,” he said. “If we are, we’re going to be a fantastic football team.”
Garvin carried 29 times for 107 yards and a touchdown. Walker completed 11 of 29 passes for 153 yards and a touchdown. Dunaway caught three passes for 70 yards, including the 61-yard score.
For Trinity, Samogala passed for 144 yards and a touchdown and ran for 82 yards and another score.
“Who we are as a team is how we finish from here on out,” he said.