Mars Area’s Fightin’ Planet mascot pumping up the student section during a football game in 2024, at Mars Area High School. Butler Eagle File Photo

This week, voters across America will determine whether Mars Area High School’s beloved mascot, the Fightin’ Planet, is the best in the nation.

Mars is competing in the finals of a high school mascot national championship bracket hosted by MLive, a Michigan-based media group. Their opponent is another Pennsylvania school, Boiling Springs in Cumberland County, who are known as the Bubblers.

Mars Area High School introduced the Fightin’ Planet as its mascot for the fall 2024 athletic season. The idea for the mascot came from the Mars Cheer Boosters the previous year.

To advance to the finals, the Fightin’ Planet — which came into the tournament as a 14-seed — defeated the Willingboro Chimeras from New Jersey in the semifinal round.

As of Sunday afternoon, May 3, Mars Area High School is trailing Boiling Springs 736,519 votes (52.93%) to 655,058 votes (47.07%).

Voting in the tournament ends just before midnight Tuesday, May 5. Votes can be cast here.