ADAMS TWP — As his lacrosse team walked out of the locker room Tuesday, Mars boys coach Bob Marcoux turned toward the line of players and said: “It’s all business today. Let’s take care of business.”

The business at hand was a PIAA Class 2A playoff opener against Trinity and the Planets, defending state champions, took care of business all right, crushing the Shamrocks 16-1 at the Mars Athletic Complex.

Mars' Enzo Grieco makes a move to take a shot on goal against Trinity in a PIAA playoff game at Mars on Tuesday, June 6, 2023. The Planets topped Trinity 16-1. Seb Foltz/Special to the Eagle

“I think we came out tonight with a little too much hype,” Marcoux said. “It’s our last game at home, but once we settled down, we were fine.”

Junior midfielder Ryan Blake started the barrage, beating Trinity goalie Brad Brown just under four minutes into the game. Enzo Grieco scored twice before the quarter was through.

The Shamrocks (17-5) mustered few shots while the game was still competitive, but evidence of the first one, taken by Chase Thomas from less than 10 feet away midway through the first period, left its mark on goalie Jonathan Grieco’s right forearm.

Mars' Dylan Phillips (8) drives past Trinity's Ryan Smathers during Tuesday's PIAA Class 2A boys lacrosse playoff game. The Planets topped Trinity, 16-1. Seb Foltz/Special to the Eagle 06/06/23

“He got me really good,” Grieco said, pointing to the red welt left behind. “I was in the right place at the right time.”

Mars' Enzo Grieco (24) drives to take a shot on goal against Trinity defender Justin Gist (33) in Tuesday's PIAA playoff game at Mars. The Planets topped Trinity 16-1. Seb Foltz Special to the Eagle 06/06/23

Grieco had seven saves in the game, but needed to make just two stops in the first half. Meanwhile, Jack McKenzie kept winning faceoffs for the Planets and Enzo Grieco, Ian Coulter and Jack Dunham (2) added to the Mars lead, which was 7-0 by halftime.

Grieco and Dunham both scored four times, with the former breaking Mars’ record for goals in a season with 101. Coulter and Ben Bowser chipped in two apiece and Dylan Phillips, Jack Tirch and Grant Weaver found the net once.

Mars' Ben Bowser (17) fights for a loose ball against Trinity defenders in Tuesday's PIAA playoff game at Mars. The Planets topped Trinity 16-1. Seb Foltz/Special to the Eagle 06/06/23

“We played Trinity earlier this season and beat them 19-8,” said Marcoux. “To be fair, they are dealing with some injuries and some of their top guys were out today.

“But when we are patient on the offensive end, we are a really good team. Teams have been focusing on Enzo and our goals have been spread out.”

Jonathan Grieco, who was recently named All-WPIAL, has done a good job of answering the call when he is challenged. He lost a shutout Tuesday when Pete Gaudion scored for Trinity with just four minutes left in the game.

“It’s definitely tough to stay focused, but I ride the highs when our guys score,” Grieco said. “That helps keep me in the game.”

Mars will take on Susquehannock, which defeated Lansdale Catholic 16-4, in a quarterfinal Saturday at a site and time to be determined.