Eric Kasperowicz’s 6 TD runs in 2nd half rally Mars to upset of Montour

By: Ed Troup
Friday, November 1, 2024 | 11:49 PM

Big players make big plays at big times, and for Mars senior Eric Kasperowicz, that moment came with just 14 seconds left in Friday’s WPIAL Class 4A quarterfinal against Montour.

With his team trailing 42-41, Kasperowicz scored his sixth second-half touchdown to give Mars a 48-42 victory at Thomas J. Birko Memorial Stadium at Montour High School.

Kasperowicz’s winning touchdown capped a 42-point second half for the seventh-seeded Fightin’ Planets (6-5) in an epic upset against No. 2 Spartans (8-2).

“I am so proud of our kids,” Mars coach Eric Kasperowicz said. “Our guys never quit. That was the difference. We challenged our group at halftime and what a tremendous win for this program tonight.”

With 2:21 left in the fourth quarter, a 21-yard touchdown run by Kasperowicz gave Mars its first lead of the game at 41-35.

Montour started its next drive from its own 21 and got a big 76-yard run by Caden Halajcio that set up Montour inside the Mars 5-yard line. Kaleb Platz scored from 2-yards, and the Spartans got the lead back, 42-41, with 1:46 remaining.

Mars’ winning drive started from its own 20-yard line.

“We were calm on that last drive as we work on our two-minute drill at practice every week,” Kasperowicz said. “We were actually playing for a field goal there at the end, but Eric (Kasperowicz) popped in there, and we didn’t have to worry about the field goal.”

The game started well for Montour, as it took the opening kickoff and put together an impressive 11-play, 80-yard scoring drive capped by Platz’s 1-yard run. The Spartans had a 7-0 lead with 6:56 left in the opening quarter.

Defense got the Fightin’ Planets on the scoreboard. Linebacker Zach Dentel intercepted Montour quarterback Trey Hopper and retuned the ball 27 yards for the Mars score. The Fightin’ Planets missed the 2-point run, and Montour kept a 7-6 lead with 3:03 left in the first quarter.

Montour extended its lead to 14-6 with 7:13 left in the second quarter on a 4-yard touchdown run by Platz.

The Spartans used two big plays with under a minute before halftime to move the football within the Mars 5-yard line: a 21-yard run by Halajcio and a 29-yard pass play from Hooper to James Bundridge. On the next play, Platz scored his third touchdown of the first half on a 3-yard run, and Montour led 21-6 at halftime.

The second half featured touchdowns runs of 24, 7, 2, 3, 21 and 21 yards (the game-winner) by Kasperowicz. Kasperowicz finished with a game-high 25 carries for 182 yards.

Kasperowicz was emotional when asked about his son’s incredible six-touchdown performance in the win: “I love him. He is such a competitor, and I am just happy as a dad to be able to coach him and be able to be with him for another week.”

Montour featured second-half scores of 80-yards from Hopper to Dominic Baron and runs of 1 and 2 by Platz, who finished the game with 22 carries for 169 yards and five touchdowns. Halajcio, finished the game with 22 carries for 169 yards. Hopper threw for a game-high 260 yards, completing 13 of 20 passes with a touchdown and interception. Baron added three catches for 117 yards.

Mars freshman quarterback Nate Walker completed 21 of 26 passes for 211 yards and an interception.

Montour ends the 2024 season at 8-2, while Mars will move on to play No. 3 McKeesport semifinals next week.

“Another rematch next week for us with McKeesport,” Kasperowicz said. “They are a great team with one of the best running backs (Kemon Spell) in the country, but we will show up Friday and be ready. I can guarantee that.”

Tags: Mars, Montour