Final: Mars 21 Pine-Richland 20 in Annual St. Barnabus Cup Game

The Mars Planets took home the Cup on Friday night after defeating 21-20.

Most Valuable Players -- chosen by their respective coaching staffs -- were quarterback Owen Nearhoof for Mars and Luke Merhaut for the Rams.

Here is Pine-Richland Patch's blog from Friday night's football game. Check back Saturday for a photo gallery.

Mars 21 Pine-Richland 20

Mars took the lead with a run by quarterback Owen Nearhoof with 1:39 remaining. The extra point was kicked by Ryan Gralish.

Pine-Richland 20 Mars 14 in 4th quarter

Quarterback Austin Whipple scored on a quarterback keeper. The kick for an extra point was blocked. 7:14 left in game.

Pine-Richland 14 Mars 14 in 3rd quarter

Mars running back Jason Lozzi scored a touchdown on a 3-yard run. Quarterback Owen Nearhoof scored on the two-point conversion with 7:30 left in the third quarter.

Halftime: Pine-Richland 14 Mars 6

This game is the annual St. Barnabas Medical Center Cup Game. The cup will be awarded to the winner of the game and most valuable players will be named for both teams.

Earlier:

Pine-Richland 14 Mars 6 with 10:20 left in half.

Junior Brock Baranowski scores on 5-yard run. Extra point by Ben Engle good.

Earlier:

Score is now PR 7 Mars 6 with a minute left in first quarter.

Mars QB Owen Nearhoof scored. Ram David Menke blocked extra point. 1:06 left in first quarter.

Earlier:

Pine-Richland 7 Mars 0

Rams scored on Austin Whipple pass to Jamie Switalski. Extra point kicked by Ben Engel.

NOTE: A caller let me know that at 7:45 p.m. traffic is a bear -- backed up on Warrendale Road.

Early Notes:

It's a beautiful Friday night in Pine-Richland Stadiium -- a little muggy, though -- as the Pine-Richland Rams prepare to take on the Mars Fightin' Planets.

7:15 p.m. -- Band is on the field, playing "You're A Grand Ole Flag" and other patriotic songs as band members spell out the letters U S A.

The band just finished playing "The National Anthem" after Pine-Richland High School's Air Force Junior ROTC cadets posted the colors. 

Band has formed two sides for the players to run through -- cheerleaders are standing with a round "Punish the Planets" banner for players to break through.

It looks like youth football players also have made a corridor on the track for the PRHS players to pass through as they take the field.

As always, the players are jumping up and down in a huddle and then running down that corridor made by the band. No. 15 - Addy Dishart had the honor of tearing through the cheerleaders' banner.

There goes the band. 

PR co-captains are Austin Whipple, Stephen Szelong, Brock Baranowski and Ben Balish.

Mars won the toss and will receive.