Wednesday, August 27, 2003

By Chris Adamski, Tri-State Sports & News Service

Mars played in the WPIAL Class AA championship game last November at Heinz Field, but the Planets are embarking on somewhat of a rebuilding mode in 2003.

With only three starters returning on both sides of the ball, Coach Scott Heinauer will be depending heavily on senior leadership to bridge the gap from last year's team that won eight of its last nine games to this year's collection of inexperienced talent.

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Sean Roche, an offensive-defensive tackle, and center-defensive end Tim King will play major roles. Zach Rosswog, a three-year starter at quarterback, may play the biggest role in whether Mars returns to the postseason this fall.

"All three of those kids will provide the leadership that we need to be competitive," Heinauer said, "Zach especially because he is a three-year starter, a role-model person and a good leader."

Rosswog has started 23 games, which could just about equal the number of starts for the rest of his Planets teammates combined (not counting Roche and King) when Mars kicks off its season Friday against 2002 WPIAL Class AAA finalist Pine-Richland. Breaking in so many new players is an arduous task, but one thing Heinauer won't have to worry about is teaching the wing-T offense to his quarterback.

"To know the system so well, it helps a lot," said Rosswog, who ranks in the top 10 of his class academically. "The wing-T is pretty complicated. There are a lot of fakes. I pretty much know where everyone is on the field by now.

"I know [the offense] like the back of my hand. It's a big difference from my sophomore year to this year."

Although Rosswog has long brought intangibles to the Planets, he may be counted on for more offense this season after speedy running back Brad Mueller left for Boston College.

"I think I'm going to have to make a lot of plays this year," Rosswog said. "Last year, we had so many big game-breakers. Now I have to step up and make the big plays."

With senior Lee Wizkowski stepping in as the featured tailback, Rosswog isn't worried about all the personnel losses and thinks Mars can be competitive with the other top teams in the Allegheny Conference.

"I think we should do all right," Rosswog said. "Our expectations aren't any lower or anything.

"It just will take a little time getting the new guys in sync and getting experience. But once they do, we can be as good as last year."

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