SHENANDOAH - Friday night was the third game into a season of angst and trepidation for both Marian and Shenandoah Valley.

But for the winners, a victory served as a temporary springboard.

Boy, did it ever for the Colts!

Marian’s youthful football team found its footing, and found a lot about its character and depth en route to a 24-7 triumph over the Blue Devils.

The victory also welcomed legendary coach Stan Dakosty back to winning ways.

Locked in a battle as the fourth quarter unfolded, the Colts were clinging to a narrow 10-7 lead - an advantage that featured a 37-yard field goal by Mike Baloga and Jacob Fesnstermaker’s 48-yard run to paydirt. Shenandoah’s score occurred after a nine-play, 71-yard drive was capped off by a Brian Dunne 1-yard run.

The Colts (1-2) were facing their biggest challenge of the game, and maybe the early season. It surely looked as if the lead was slipping away, as the Devils were just five yards from the end zone following an interception return by Owen Kosar.

But Dame Fortune took an about face in favor Marian.

First, Shenandoah imploded with an offside penalty on first down; then Marian seemed to get revived when its defense stuffed hard charging running back Dunne. When a bad exchange happened on the next SV offensive play, Marian smothered the loose ball, and were about to torque the offensive engine.

“We had our backs against the wall,” Dakosty said. “Right there, we kept our poise … again (it was) 38 players, 31 underclassmen.”

Marian went to speedy Fenstermaker, a track star playing football for the first time, and he along with the offensive line took charge.

Fenstermaker blazed 19 and 38 yards on back-to-back carries before senior quarterback Julian Cerullo tacked on 12 more yards. On the seventh play of the drive, Fenstermaker was prancing the final 21 yards into the end zone.

It was the start of the coup de grace for Marian, as it went from a gloomy outlook to gleeful paradise. On the Colts’ next possession, Fenstermaker hit the end zone again.

“It’s a starting process,” said Dakosty, who had to scramble to replace his starting fullback and tailback. “Jake Fenstermaker, Owen Brady (the way they played the first half), really proud of them. Shenandoah is a scrappy team. We game planned for (quarterback Owen) Kosar, I thought he would be the best quarterback we will see.”

To be sure, the target was on Kosar’s back. And the Colts defense rallied vigorously - especially in the second half - where senior Robert Sunder gave fits trying to block him off the ball.

“We moved him to nose,” Dakosty said. “He was a (load) for them to handle and his play, along with some of our other standouts, changed things around.”

Certainly two underclassmen were evident on the defensive side, too. Sophomore Rawlin Melendez and freshman linebacker James Rodino helped to complete the package.

Baloga used his leg to make it 3-0, splitting the uprights for the early lead. Marian had tried an onside kick to open the game, but Shenandoah Valley recovered and drove to the Colts’ 21 behind Dunne before the drive stalled. Marian embarked on a nine-play drive before things stalled and Baloga nailed the field goal.

As much as Brady was the headliner in the opening half, it was all Fenstermaker in the final two quarters. He capped off his brilliant evening with his third touchdown on a 4-yard run.

Brady had to leave the game, saying he cramped up in the first half and praised his backup.

“Our line was doing a phenomenal job blowing their line off,” Brady said. “This was the first time I played running back … I just need to work on some things.”

Marian exploited the Shenandoah ends, which is where Fenstermaker made a living rushing for 114 yards on five touches.

“I was able to get to the edge a lot because we were getting out and making the blocks with our line,” said the senior.

POUND AND GROUND … Dakosty’s influence, which made him so successful during his first tenure, was evident all evening. Marian rushed for 352 yards. That is a trademark of past Dakosty teams.

YOUTH ABOUND … Both teams are heavy in underclassman. Shenandoah has only three seniors.