Senior Adam Budzilek (defensive lineman), senior Sean Franklin (offensive lineman), and senior Gabe Hein (wide receiver) were named to the 2026 West Big School Team.
For information about the event, visit the official event page.
Athletes Selected for All-State, All-WPIAL, All-Conference Honors
Two members of Mars Area High School Varsity Football Team were named to the 2025 PA Football Writers’ Class 4A All-State Team.
Senior Sean Franklin (offensive lineman) and senior Gabe Hein (wide receiver) were selected for their outstanding performance, statistical achievements, impact on the team’s success, and overall excellence.
Also of note, seniors Adam Budziek (center), Colton Ewing (guard), Sean Franklin (offensive tackle), Gabe Hein (wide receiver) and Ayden Yocum (running back), and junior Jonnie Maestra (guard) were named to the WPIAL Greater Allegheny All-Conference Football Team for Offense; and senior Zach Dentel (inside linebacker) and junior Smyth Dunaway (defensive back) for defense.
In addition, seniors Adam Budzilek, Sean Franklin, Colton Ewing, Gabe Hein and Ayden Yocum and junior Jonnie Maestra were selected for the Greater Allegheny Conference All-Conference First Team Offense; and, sophomore Colin Yurisinec for the Second Team Offense. Sophomores Brady Brennan and Tyler Whitling received honorable mentions on offense.
Senior Zach Dentel and juniors Jameson Garvin and Smyth Dunaway were named to the All-Conference First Team Defense; senior Ethan Kresinski and juniors Ryan Walker and Luciano Cuzzocrea to the Second Team Defense; and sophomores Liam Corcoran and Brody Spencer received honorable mentions on defense.
For additional information, call (724) 625-9380.
Football Team to Ends Season in WPIAL Playoffs
Mars Area High School Varsity Football Team advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2025 WPIAL Class 4A Varsity Football Championships on Oct. 31, but was defeated 31-14 by the Thomas Jefferson Jaguars.
The Fightin’ Planets ended the 2025 regular season with an overall record of 8-2 and 4-1 in the Greater Allegheny Conference.
Players on this year’s team included seniors Adam Budzilek, Zach Dentel, Jason Droske, Colton Ewing, Sean Franklin, Gabe Hein, Frank Knezovich, Ethan Kresinski, Chris Recchia, Jimmy Sommers, Troy Varner, Ayden Yocum and Joseph Zottola; juniors Gavin Best, Brian Biaku, Ray Chase, Gus Coffield, Luciano Cuzzocrea, Dom DeBasi, Jameson Dickman, Smyth Dunaway, Alex Frengel, Jameson Garvin, Adam Genevro, Tyler Hardek, Jonnie Maestra, Maddox Schumann, Chase Stamper and Ryan Walker; sophomores Nick Babeo, Joe Bandzak, Luke Blasco, Luke Boronyak, Brady Brennan, Liam Corcoran, Kole Funovits, Christian James, Carter Orehowsky, Asher Pesanka, Anderson Santa, Hunter Schroder, Brody Spencer, Brayden Teyssier, Cole Varner, James Watenpool, Nate Walker, Tyler Whitling and Colin Yurisinec; and, freshmen Aiden Cortner, Gavin Elmeier, Kellan Garvin, Alston Hung, Oliver King, Angelo McDole, Blake Meier, Andrew Palasick, Landon Panzer, Jack Schilling, Bryce Slavicek, Luke Tubridy, Jaedon Utz, Drew Walker, Lane Wilbert and Mason Wyzkoski.
For additional information, call (724) 625-9380 or visit https://wpial.org.
Senior Selected for Steelers Leadership Award
Maestra is a three-year member of the Fightin’ Planets Varsity Football Team. The award recognizes high school football players from around the Pittsburgh region who go above and beyond to be a leader in their community and to provide mentor-like support for their teammates and other peers.
“(Jonnie) takes the time to get to know people personally and values building connections with everyone — regardless of age, class, sport, or background,” says Eric Kasperowicz, football head coach. “His inclusive nature helps create a sense of belonging among his peers. He encourages others to do their best and to look out for one another.”
“His willingness to give his time and effort for others shows his genuine care and commitment to making a difference in the lives of those around him,” says Kasperowicz. “Jonnie’s drive, discipline, and commitment to excellence make him a remarkable young leader and role model.”
Maestra will be featured on the Steelers High School Showcase Game of the Week, which airs at 7 p.m. on Fridays on KDKA+ (CBS Sports). In addition, he will also receive on-field recognition at an upcoming Steelers game.
The Jerome Bettis Leadership Award is presented by the Pittsburgh Steelers, The Mentoring Partnership, Giant Eagle and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. For additional information, visit Jerome Bettis Leadership Award.
Senior Named Post-Gazette Athlete of the Week
Yocum, a running back on the Fightin’ Planets Varsity Football Team, carried 15 times for 227 yards and four touchdowns to lead the team to a 56-0 win against Knoch. He has rushed for 1,217 yards this season and is third in WPIAL in rushing.
For additional information, visit Post-Gazette Athlete of the Week.
2024-2025
Players Named to All-Conference Teams
Senior Mason Childress (kicker) and Eric Kasperowicz (running back); and juniors Colton Ewing (guard), Sean Franklin (offensive tackle) and Gabe Hein (wide receiver) were name to the Greater Allegheny All-Conference First Team Offense. Junior Zach Dentel (inside linebacker) was selected for the First Team Defense.
For additional information, call (724) 625-9380.
2024 WPIAL Class 4A Varsity Football Championships
Mars Area High School Varsity Football Team advanced to the semifinals of the 2024 WPIAL Class 4A Varsity Football Champion-ships on Nov. 8; but, was defeated 35-7 by the McKeesport Area Tigers.
The Fightin’ Planets thwarted the Montour Spartans 48-42 in the WPIAL Quarterfinals on Nov. 1. The team ended the 2024 season with an overall record of 5-5 and 4-1 in the 2024 Greater Allegheny Conference.
This season, senior Eric Kasperowicz led the team in points scored with 20 touchdowns and 128 points. He also earned a total of 1,287 rushing yards.
Junior Gabe Hein led the team in receiving (858 yards). In passing, leaders were freshman Nathan Walker (921 yards) and senior Luke Goodworth (755 yards).
Rounding out this year’s team were seniors Jameson Astarb, Logan Becker, Josh Blanco, Mason Childress, Landon Haddad, Liam Hein, Brady Jordan, Shawn Mackalica, Logan O’Brien, Ethan Painley, Dayton Schuckert, Senaka Wilson and Blake Yates; juniors Adam Budzilek, Zach Dentel, Andy Diaz, Jason Droske, Colton Ewing, Sean Franklin, Ethan Kresinski, Jacob Noe, Chris Recchia, Nico Salvini, Jimmy Sommers, Nathan Tak and Ayden Yocum; sophomores Gavin Best, Brian Biaku, Ray Chase, Gus Coffield, Luciano Cuzzocrea, Dom DeBasi, Jameson Dickman, Smyth Dunaway, Jameson Garvin, Adam Genevro, Tyler Hardek, Paxton Hartle, Jonnie Maestra, Cole Spencer, Chase Stamper, Tyan Tsai and Ryan Walker; and, freshmen Joe Bandzak, Luke Boronyak, Brady Brennan, Liam Corcoran, Will Dunaway, Kole Funovits, Christian James, Samuel Nemetz, Carter Orehowsky, Asher Pesanka, Anderson Santa, Hunter Schroder, Brody Spencer, Brayden Teyssier, Roman Trombulak, Talan Tsai, James Watenpool, Tyler Whitling, Carter Yocum and Colin Yurisinec.
For additional information, visit https://wpial.org.
Operation Football Play of the Week (Week 7)
An 80-yard touchdown run by Mars Area High School junior Gabe Hein was named the WTAE-TV News Operation Football Play of the Week (Week 7)
In the Fightin’ Planets football game against the McKeesport Area Tigers on Oct. 11, Hein (wide receiver) took a direct snap and ran the length of the field to score the team only touchdown of the game. The Planets were ultimately defeated 28-7 by the Tigers.
For additional information, visit article about the play.
Football Team Begins 2024 Regular Season
Mars Area High School Varsity Football Team is making strides toward a playoff bid this season.
The 2024 Fightin’ Planets are looking to build off of last year’s semifinal loss to Aliquippa and take the next step towards a championship,” says Eric Kasperowicz, head coach.
In 2023, the Fightin’ Planets advanced to the semifinals of the WPIAL Class 4A Varsity Football Championship. The team ended the regular season with an overall record of 8-2 and 6-0 in Section 2-4A, earning the Greater Allegheny Conference title.
Players to watch on this year’s team include seniors Jameson Astarb, Mason Childress, Luke Goodworth, Liam Hein, Brady Jordan, Eric Kasperowicz Jr. and Ethan Painley; juniors Adam Budzilek, Zach Dentel, Colton Ewing, Sean Franklin, Gabe Hein, Ethan Kresinski and Ayden Yocum; and, sophomore Jameson Garvin.
Rounding out the team are seniors Logan Becker, Josh Blanco, Landon Haddad, Shawn Mackalica, Logan O’Brien, Dayton Schuckert, Senaka Wilson and Blake Yates; juniors Andy Diaz, Jason Droske, Jacob Noe, Chris Recchia, Nico Salvini, Jimmy Sommers and Nathan Tak; sophomores Gavin Best, Brian Biaku, Ray Chase, Gus Coffield, Luciano Cuzzocrea, Dom DeBasi, Jameson Dickman, Smyth Dunaway, Adam Genevro, Tyler Hardek, Paxton Hartle, Jonnie Maestra, Cole Spencer, Chase Stamper, Tyan Tsai and Ryan Walker; and, freshmen Joe Bandzak, Luke Boronyak, Brady Brennan, Liam Corcoran, Will Dunaway, Kole Funovits, Christian James, Samuel Nemetz, Carter Orehowsky, Asher Pesanka, Anderson Santa, Hunter Schroder, Brody Spencer, Brayden Teyssier, Roman Trombulak, Talan Tsai, James Watenpool, Tyler Whitling, Carter Yocum and Colin Yurisinec.
2023-2024
2023 WPIAL Class 4A Varsity Football Championship
Mars Area High School Varsity Football Team advanced to the semifinals of the 2023 WPIAL Class 4A Varsity Football Championships on Nov. 17, but was defeated 47-24 by the Aliquippa Quips.
The Fightin’ Planets thwarted the Central Valley Warriors 24-14 in the WPIAL quarterfinals on Nov. 10; and crushed the Chartiers Valley Colts 44-19 in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs on Nov. 3. The team ended the 2023 season with an overall record of 8-2 and 6-0 in section, earning the 2023 Greater Allegheny Conference title.
Players on this year’s team included seniors Nathan Ewing (captain), Connor Hartle, Jacob Maple (captain), Isaak Winters (captain), Evan Wright (captain) and Cole Yoshioka; juniors Luke Goodworth and Eric Kasperowicz (captain); and sophomores Adam Budzilek, Sean Franklin and Gabe Hein, all of whom were named to the 2023 Greater Allegheny Football Conference All-Conference First Team. Seniors Aidan Alessio (captain) and Xander Painley; juniors Jameson Astarb, Mason Childress and Ethan Painley; and sophomores Zach Dentel and Ethan Kresinski were selected for the Second Team and junior Brady Jordan received an Honorable Mention.
Rounding out the team were seniors Aydin Brink, Devin Douds and Zachary Ruffner; juniors Josh Blanco, Logan Becker, Landon Haddad, Liam Hein, Logan O’Brien, Shawn Mackalica, Richard Rowan, Nick Rushe, Dayton Schuckert, Nikolas Swentkowsky and Blake Yates; sophomores Andy Diaz, Colton Ewing, Ryan Kelly, Jacob Noe, Nico Salvini, Jimmy Sommers, Nathan Tak and Ayden Yocum; freshmen Gavin Best, Brian Biaku, Vinnie Cersosimo, Gus Coffield, Luciano Cuzzocrea, Smyth Dunaway, Jackson Dwyer, Adam Genevro, Tyler Hardek, Zack Hugus, Jonnie Maestra, Isaac McMichael, Chase Ray, Maddox Schumann, Cole Spencer, Tyan Tsai, Ryan Walker and Seneca Wilson.
For additional information, call (724) 625-9380 or visit www.wpial.org.
2021-2022
2021 Regular Season
Mars Area High School Boys Varsity Football Team ended the 2021 regular season with an overall record of 2-8 and 2-5 in Section 2-4A of the Greater Allegheny Conference.
This season, senior Eli Wright led the team in scoring with four touchdowns, followed by junior Noah Nesselroad with two touchdowns. Junior Rafael Bartley led in passing (867 yards); Nesselroad in receiving (257 yards); and Wright in rushing (114 yards).
Other players on this year’s included seniors Remy Crofutt, Anthony Dentel, Matthew Detisch, Christopher Dvorak, Hunter Hart, Timothy Humes, Alexander Kostial, Jacob Ottenweller and Joey Tepke; junior Owen Helwig, Garrett Hull, Jack Hull, Alex Jablunovsky, Hayden Mayer, Luka Moran, Noah Nesselroad, Carlos Orr, Logan Santa, Leo Saver, Nolan Scott and Billy Sommers; sophomores Aiden Alessio, Augustus Aubrecht, Aydin Brink, Brennan Carr, Cooper Courson, Devin Douds, Nathan Ewing, Dominic Gigliotti, Connor Hartle, Jacob Maple, Kyle Organ, Alexander Painley, Adam Rohrbaugh, Zachary Ruffner, Maximos Veneris, Isaak Winters and Evan Wright; and, freshmen Jameson Astarb, Logan Becker, Joshua Blanco-Garcia, Mason Childress, Luke Goodworth, Liam Hein, Shawn Mackalica, Ryan McGee, Jack Mueller, Logan O’Brien, Ethan Painley, Dayton Schuckert, Finn Seideneck, Dominic Speranza, Nikolas Swentkowsky and Ethan Wolf.