WILLIAMSTOWN – Williams Valley, aided by four Marian turnovers, rolled to a 40-7 victory over the Colts on Friday night.

The victory keeps the Vikings in the hunt for the top seed, along with Palisades, in Class AA in the District 11 playoffs.

Marian helped Williams by losing three fumbles and having a pass intercepted.

The win was also a milestone for Williams Valley coach Tim Savage, who got his 100th career win. He also became the winning-est coach in school history, passing the late Gerry Stauffenberg by one-game.

“This is quite an honor, to set the record by my former coach, who I’m sure is looking down from heaven,” Savage said.

It also helps to have a terrific running back in Alex Achenbach, who tore through Marian’s defense, gaining 212 yards on 20 carries. He scored twice - one on a nifty 87-yard run, and the other on a 27-yard pass from quarterback Isaac Whiteash.

“I don’t know what to say, other than this falls on my shoulders,” Stan Dakosty said. “We did some things that we shouldn’t be doing at this time of the year; missed handoffs, missed assignments.”

On its first offensive possession, Williams Valley drove into the red zone, but Marian’s Dylan Zullo intercepted a pass to end the drive.

The Vikings forced Marian to put and then put together a picture-perfect drive, needing only five plays to crack the goal line.

Achenbach ripped off runs of 18 and 27 yards, before Whiteash flipped a 5-yard pass for a touchdown to receiver Brady Evans (6-127).

Achenbach intercepted a Colts’ pass on the next possession at the 13-yard line. He then a took pitch out and raced 87 yards for a touchdown.

Marian did have an answer cutting into the deficit with a little over 6 minutes to play in the opening half.

Quarterback Bruce Hopeck guided the Colts on a 7-play scoring march, whistling a 15-yard completion to rangy Michael Gelatko to kick-start the scoring drive. Hopeck and Joey Walko hooked up for a three-yard screen pass, then he found Gelatko free in the secondary and was on target for a 59-yard touchdown pass.

Williams Valley then put together an 8-play drive, culminating with Achenbach pulling in a diving pass from Whiteash as he hit the end zone and with it a 27-7 lead.

The Colts’ three possessions in the third quarter ended twice with punts and a fourth-down incompletion.

The Vikings jacked the score to 34-7, needing only six plays to hit score, with Logan Willard pulling in a 7-yard touchdown pass. He also raced 33 yards to the Marian 10 in the drive.

The Vikings finished out the night’s scoring when reserve Drew Buffington dove in the end zone.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

... Jesse Rodino continues to impress along with Matty Martin on defense. Williams Valley’s defensive end Brayden Criswell and linebacker Aiden Miller kept the pressure on quarterback Hopeck all evening.

TAKING OFF

... Gelatko kept his team’s only scoring drive alive when he took off on a planned fake punt with a 15-yard run. Then moments later latched onto the only touchdown a 59-yard catch and run.

TOUGH FINAL TWO

… Marian is now 4-4 and has a tough final two games. Hosting Tri-Valley and on the road with Pine Grove. Williams Valley headed for a collision with undefeated rival Tri-Valley in Week 10 and heavy favorites to beat visiting Shenandoah Valley Friday.