SHENANDOAH — If there was ever a football team making an about face, Marian fits the bill perfectly.

When the season started, the Colts were dreadful, losing five games in a row.

Now, they’re on the cusp of a postseason District 11 Class 1A playoff spot after socking Shenandoah Valley 39-7 for their third straight win Friday evening in Veterans Memorial Stadium in this clash of Schuylkill Football League Division 2 teams. The Colts (3-5, 3-1 SFL D 2) will have a shot at a fourth straight win against rival Mahanoy Area next Friday at Men of Marian Stadium.

For now, the Colts are riding a little wave of momentum and a boost of confidence. And their coach Pat Morgans can feel the mounting surge of euphoria, too.

“It’s nice to be on the other side for a change,” said Morgans. “The kids have persevered through the injuries and the early part of the schedule.”

What suddenly is in the Colts’ favor is a running attack led by senior Matt Doherty.

He darted and scooted his way for 137 yards rushing on 20 carries. He also hit the end zone three times.

Doherty cracked home a 16-yard run to open the game, and when Shenandoah Valley snapped the ball out of the end zone on a punt try, it made the score 9-0. Less than four minutes later, his team capped a six-play, 40-yard drive for a commanding 16-0 lead with 3:50 showing in the first quarter.

“The way we ran the ball, there was no need to,” said Morgans when asked about the passing game, which was shelved early. “Matt is doing a great job, we get our (fullback Josh Boyer) involved and he runs up inside (for the tough) yards.”

Converted offensive lineman John Patton found the end zone with a 3-yard run and a 23-0 lead just as the first half was about to come to a close.

When the second half rolled around, the Colts were rolling to a 29-0 lead, this time after Doherty polished off a short 41-yard, five-play drive.

Lucca Stroia booted a career-long 40-yard field goal, having missed a 46-yard attempt in the opening half. That miss was long enough, but just wide right.

Leading 32-0, Marian got one more on the board as the third quarter unfolded. Junior Justin Balas found the end zone with a 2-yard run.

The only score the Blue Devils (0-8, 0-3 SFL D 2) managed was a quick two-pass completion series. Quarterback Joe Karvois and Alex Donchack hooked up on a 17-yard completion, and then Karvois found Donchack with a quick-out toss and he raced 53 yards to paydirt.

“I can’t say enough about our kids,” said Shenandoah Valley coach Kevin Keating. “We’ve got heart, we play right to the finish. This bunch of kids play as hard as any players I had when I coached (at Pottsville). We don’t have numbers, but we have heart.”

SMOTHERING … The Colts defense clamped down on the Shenandoah Valley running attack. The end result was minus-42 yards on 25 carries.

PLENTY OF BACKS … Marian had 10 different players get a chance at running the ball. Doherty continues his late season upswing. He was injured earlier in the year and is starting to assert his rushing game.

ON THE HORIZON … Colts play host to Mahanoy Area Friday before finishing the regular season on the road against powerful Tamaqua.