To many, halftime is a time for rest, to grab something to eat or to enjoy the entertainment provided by the high school marching band. But on Friday night against Marian, Lehighton used the intermission period to refocus and retool.

The result was a 14-point clock controlling third quarter and a strong defensive effort, shutting out the Colts in the second half en route to a 40-6 victory.

The first quarter was tight. Lehighton was able to jump out to an early 12-0 lead, taking advantage of good field position to set up its scores. The Tribe’s (2-2) first touchdown came from recovering a mishandled punt on Marian’s 30-yard line, which set up a 17-yard hookup between Lucas Sangiuliano and tight end Ben Schatz at the 9:00 mark.

A short punt on the Colts’ ensuing possession gave the Indians the ball at the Marian 31, and the Tribe took advantage once again, scoring quickly. A 17-yard pass to Ian Rarick from Schatz, who spent some time at quarterback in the game in Lehighton’s version of the wildcat, which they call “The Apache” was good for six, and it looked like the Indians would blow the game open early.

But the Colts used the intermediate passing game to challenge the Tribe. Quarterback Dakota Streisel picked his way through the Indians’ defense with his arm to put Marian in scoring position. The play of the drive was a 15-yard Lehighton pass interference penalty that put Marian at the Indians’ 15. On the very next play, Streisel rolled left, set his feet and found Luis Teron in the corner of the end zone to get the Colts within six with 31 seconds left in the first.

“There are some positives to take out of this one. We moved the ball well early, we played hard, but we have to have that same focus for all four quarters,” said Marian head coach Pat Morgans. “When you’re in a game and you have opportunities, you have to make plays. The difference was, they made plays when given the chance. We just need to continue to work, get better and move forward.”

Lehighton was able to extend its lead to 26-6 by the half, but 10 first half penalties and Marian’s passing attack gave the Colts plenty to look forward to in the second half.

However, the Indians went to the ground-and-pound and used their size and physically to wear the Colts down in the third. Both Lehighton possessions in the period ended in touchdowns, with a Sangiuliano 9-yard score and a 3-yard Brandon Ramirez plunge extending the lead to 40-6.

The most important part of the third was that Lehighton chewed up the clock, with Marian seeing the ball just once and having to punt.

“The execution was there tonight, we just shot ourselves in the foot at times with penalties and we’ll address that and we’ll clean that up,” said Indians head coach Tom McCarroll. “But I think we did some nice things. In the second half, we came out and established our physicality on the line of scrimmage. We’re looking to establish an identity, and controlling the clock and playing physical has to be a part of that this year.”

SCHATZ FIRED

... The cannon at Lehighton’s stadium went off often in this one, thanks in large part to Indians’ senior Ben Schatz. Schatz caught a touchdown pass, threw for a touchdown pass and ran 64 yards to the house for a score.

LAUNDRY NIGHT

... The Indians had 10 penalties for 95 yards in the first half.

MOVING THE STICKS

... Lehighton had nine first downs in the third quarter and 20 on the night.