Mars coach Scott Heinauer describes the way 2006 WPIAL-leading rusher Billy Bair runs as "BYOB -- bring your own blocking."

"He's a great offensive weapon to have. Teams think they have him, and he gets out," Heinauer said.

But if Bair is going to match his junior season, when he ran for 1,928 yards and 28 touchdowns in just 10 games, he's going to need help from a lot of new faces up front.

The Planets, Tri-Country North champs in 2006, will have four new starters on the offensive line, plus a new tight end.

That means the faster that unit gets settled, the better Mars, and Bair, will play.

"We have a lot of good kids, but this year they're inexperienced, and they're going to have to learn quickly," Heinauer said.

"A lot of our success depends on how fast they learn. Billy will help out our line's learning curve, but winning some games early will send the confidence way up."

Before the young line can win games, the players simply have to win a starting position.

Sophomore Brody Evanson (250 pounds), 240-pound junior Chad Nelson and 260-pound senior Ryan Johnston all have the build to take over the two tackle positions.

At the interior line positions, senior Ed Gaw could handle two-way duties with his defensive end role.

Nolan Nearhoof and Ben Howcroft, both of whom had older brothers on last year's Mars line, are also battling in camp along with Cliff Kelly and Ian Schauer.

The uncertain opening-day lineup doesn't faze Heinauer, who also has to replace six of seven starters in his defensive front.

He knows that his young Mars players understand how to win.

This year's junior class -- which includes projected quarterback John Brake and No. 2 returning rusher Shane Kaclik -- has lost only one game in a Mars uniform since seventh grade.

That said, Heinauer hopes that past success can translate to wins on the next level.

"There's some good camaraderie with our guys, but the speed at the varsity level is so different. We really don't know who's going to be ready for that," he said.

The Planets are going to have to find out if they can handle the speed quickly, if a repeat conference title is in the works.

Mars opens its 2007 schedule at conference co-champion Laurel, followed by a home opener against Riverside, which Heinauer calls "the team to beat" in the Tri-County North, before they make a trip to Shenango.