Kowalkowski’s aerial attack leads Mars past Armstrong in key Northern Conference matchup

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, September 22, 2018 | 1:27 AM

The Mars offense revolves around the run-heavy Wing-T schem.

However, 27th-year coach Scott Heinauer said this year his offense will throw the ball more.

Senior quarterback Tyler Kowalkowski took full advantage of the opportunity, launching an aerial assault on the Armstrong defense in a 42-15 victory against the River Hawks.

Kowalkowski completed just 2 of 18 passes a week ago against Penn Hills, throwing two interceptions. Against Armstrong, he completed 9 of 13 for 262 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.

“(Armstrong) played a basic cover 3 the entire time,” Kowalkowski said. “The free safety would bite, and our receivers would go over top of them, which was how we got our bombs.”

Those bombs went for 28, 23 and 60 yards. Senior Tom Sheehy made a circus catch in the end zone against the back of a defender on the first drive of the game. Following a Drew Schlegel interception, the first of two for Schlegel, Kowalkowski connected with senior Andrew Recchia one play later to take an early 14-0 advantage.

The final touchdown pass came with 17 seconds left in the first half, as junior Josh Grell hauled in his first catch of the young season and galloped 60 yards for the long touchdown.

“If anybody has been here and watched us, they know that we can throw the football,” Heinauer said. “That’s something I don’t think we get enough credit for, but Tyler Kowalkowski did a great job tonight.”

Heinauer thought the Fightin’ Planets’ speed would be an advantage. After trying to keep up with one of the most highly-touted offenses in the WPIAL in Penn Hills, the Mars offense took out its frustrations on a battered Armstrong defense.

“We thought we had the faster team, so we thought we’d be better off running the football,” Heinauer said. “(Armstrong) kept bringing guys, and I think we caught them off guard when we started throwing the football.”

That defense struggled to find an answer for the surprise passing attack. Armstrong coach Frank Fabian is hopeful his team’s secondary is able to use the game as a learning experience.

“We had too many blown coverages,” Fabian said. “That and not finishing drives are the two main things that jump out at me right away, especially considering we play Penn Hills next week.”

Armstrong got on the board with a 73-yard run by junior running back Isaac Ridinger and went on a long drive that ate up most of the second-quarter clock. However, the drive stalled at the Mars 6-yard line after Jalen Price couldn’t complete a shuffle pass. Price went 0 for 7 with three interceptions. Schlegel had the first two, and Andrew Recchia had another late in the game.

“Tonight was a great starting point for our team,” Heinauer said. “(Armstrong) had a conference win and we didn’t. That’s something we talked about all week. The rest of our games are conference games, so it all counts from here and out.”

Mars travels to Shaler next week for a Saturday game at Louis Martig Stadium, while Armstrong travels to Penn Hills.

Brandon Rossi is a freelance writer.

Tags: Armstrong, Mars