Football - Greensburg Salem vs Mars

Mars running back Garrett Reinke (34) scores from 4 yards out past Greensburg Salem's Tyler Williams (21) in the final minute of the second quarter on Friday, Sep. 7, 2018 at Offutt Field in Greensburg. Mars defeated Greensburg Salem 35-7. (Ken Reabe Jr | Western PA Sports Media)

Big First Half Boosts Mars to 35-7 Win at Greensburg Salem  

Mars scored four touchdowns in the first half, then added one more after intermission, to roll to a 35-7 win over Greensburg Salem at Offutt Field in Greensburg. The Fightin' Planets opened scoring at 5:11 of the first quarter when Garrett Reinke took a handoff into the endzone for a 7-0 lead. Mars quarterback Tyler Kowalkowski followed that with a 3-yard run on a keeper in the final minute of the first quarter to bump the score to 14-0. The second quarter was no kinder to the Golden Lions as Kowalkowski called his own number again on a short touchdown run at 3:17 left in the second quarter. Mars added their fourth touchdown just before halftime as Garrett Reinke notched his second rushing touchdown from four yards away, putting the GOlden Lions into a 28-0 hole as the bands took the field. 

Mars put the game into a running clock situation at 8:22 of the third quarter as quarterback Tyler Kowalkowski hit wide receiver Andrew Recchia for a 20-yard touchdown pass. Kicker Blake Edwards remained perfect on the night with his fifth PAT kick, and the score was 35-0 as the mercy rule was invoked. Greensburg Salem avoided the shutout as quarterback Trent Patrick scored on a keeper from 10 yards away at 11:05 of the fourth quarter. Both teams substituted freely during the remaining time as no further scoring occurred and the game ended with a 35-7 Mars victory.

Greensburg Salem drops to 1-2 following the non-conference loss and visits South Fayette next week. Mars improved to 3-0 and will next host Penn Hills in a battle of undefeated conference opponents.    

Watch this link for a full gallery of action photos available for purchase or sharing the day after the game. 

Mars quarterback Tyler Kowalkowski (9) scores on a keeper from 3 yards out late in the first quarter against Greensburg Salem on Friday, Sep. 7, 2018 at Offutt Field in Greensburg. Mars defeated Greensburg Salem 35-7. (Ken Reabe Jr | Western PA Sports Media) Mars' Chase Lambert (64) sacks Greensburg Salem quarterback Trent Patrick (9) for an 11-yard loss late in the second quarter on Friday, Sep. 7, 2018 at Offutt Field in Greensburg. Mars defeated Greensburg Salem 35-7. (Ken Reabe Jr | Western PA Sports Media) Mars quarterback Tyler Kowalkowski (9) spots wide receiver Andrew Recchia downfield and throws for a 20-yard touchdown pass with 8:22 remaining in the third quarter against Greensburg Salem on Friday, Sep. 7, 2018 at Offutt Field in Greensburg. Mars defeated Greensburg Salem 35-7. (Ken Reabe Jr | Western PA Sports Media)