MANOR TWP, Armstrong County — Mars’ first drive of the game, which covered 65 yards in seven plays, was capped when Evan Wright scored from two yards out.

It gave the Planets confidence and most importantly, an early lead against a formidable Armstrong squad. But from there, things went south for Mars in a hurry.

The River Hawks turned two critical mistakes by Mars — a muffed punt and an interception later in the opening quarter — into a pair of one-yard scoring runs from quarterback Cadin Olsen.

Olsen, a senior, added a 50-yard scoring strike to Isaiah Brown before the end of the period and the River Hawks’ lead was never threatened in defeating the Planets 55-31 in a Greater Allegheny Conference clash Friday at Armstrong Stadium.

“Things started off well for us,” said Mars coach Eric Kasperowicz, “but we just weren’t ready to play at their level of intensity and energy.”

Armstrong (7-1, 4-0) plays at Highlands (8-0, 4-0) next Friday, with the winner clinching the conference championship.

Olsen passed for 349 yards and four touchdowns against the Planets, surpassing the 2,000-yard mark for the season in the process. He hit Dozick Zablocki on a 15-yard scoring play that extended Armstrong’s lead to 27-7 early in the second quarter.

“Some teams that run the spread throw a lot of short passes with bubble screens,” said River Hawks’ coach Frank Fabian. “We have a vertical passing game and want to play at a fast pace. We had 73 plays tonight. Anytime we can get into the 70s, it’s good for us.

“Cadin’s special and I’m relishing every last moment he’s here. And we are six-deep at wide receiver.”

Mars (5-3, 2-2) tried to halt Armstrong’s onslaught. Mason Childress booted a 30-yard field goal to cut his team’s deficit to 27-10, but the River Hawks scored twice more before halftime, including a 49-yard interception return by Ian Olsen after he snagged a pass from Eric Kasperowicz that was on target, but glanced off the hands of its intended receiver.

“They took advantage of the turnovers,” Coach Kasperowicz said. “They’re a good team. We have some players making plays and others who are not. That’s what it comes down to.”

The Planets did mange to pick off two of Olsen’s passes. Hayden Mayer’s interception came early in the second quarter and Cole Yoshioka’s theft came in the third period.

Evan Wright was a bright spot for the Planets. On 19 attempts, he rushed for three touchdowns and 253 yards, putting him over 1,000 yards for the season.

His last two scores of the game came from 94 yards in the third quarter and 81 yards with time running out in the fourth period.

“We still had our top players in there because we were trying to score,” said Coach Kasperowicz. “Evan’s had a great season and we’re going to need him down the stretch.”

The Planets host Hampton next Friday.

Mars 7 3 7 14 — 31

Armstrong 21 20 14 0 — 55

First Quarter

M - Evan Wright 2 run (Mason Childress kick), 10:09

A - Cadin Olsen 1 run (Hunter Reed kick), 8:46

A - Olsen 1 run (Reed kick), 7:19

A - Isaiah Brown 50 pass from Olsen (Reed kick), 4:23

Second Quarter

A - Dozick Zablocki 15 pass from Olsen (run failed), 8:32

M - Childress 30 field goal, 3:23

A - Kyan Kline 4 pass from Olsen (Reed kick), 1:34

A - Ian Olsen 49 interception return (Reed kick), :44

Third Quarter

A - Brown 22 pass from Olsen (Reed kick), 5:42

M - Wright 94 run (Childress kick), 5:16

A - Alex Patton 2 run (Reed kick), :35

Fourth Quarter

M - Eric Kasperowicz 24 run (Childress kick), 9:58

M - Wright 81 run (Childress kick), 1:58

Individual Statistics

Rushing: Mars, Eric Kasperowicz 11-23, Evan Wright 19-253, Carlos Orr 1-4, TEAM 1-(-25). Armstrong, Alex Patton 18-64, Cadin Olsen 7-16, Dozick Zablocki 1-1, Phoenix Wynkoop 6-18, Colt Sprankle 2-(-14), TEAM 1-(-5).

Passing: Mars, Eric Kasperowicz 12-19-102-2. Armstrong, Cadin Olsen 19-29-349-2, Colt Sprankle 2-3-40-0.

Receiving: Mars, Gabe Hein 7-46, Evan Wright 1-16, Aidan Alessio 3-31, Rafael Bartley 1-9. Armstrong, Isaiah Brown 6-120, Dozick Zablocki 3-31, Jack Valasek 2-32, Ian Olsen 5-121, Kyan Kline 4-43, Joe Bartolowits 1-42