After coming off a gauntlet of a schedule earlier in the season, Marian football was looking to build off of last week’s bounce-back win over Pine Grove and carry momentum into the district playoffs.

With its rival Nativity coming to Hometown on Thursday, the Colts went to their best runner in Rory Dixon, who put up 193 yards on 18 carries, to power his squad to a dominating 41-14 victory.

The first drive for both teams bore no offensive fruits, but Marian’s second drive produced Dixon’s first big play of the night with 6:45 left in the first quarter.

A 92-yard touchdown run kick-started a Colts’ offense that showed no holding back during the first half.

“It’s good to get (Dixon) back on track,” said Marian coach Billy O’Guerk. “As he goes, we go. We were a little slow out of the gates on that first drive, and then we were able to pop that long (run) that really sparked our team.”

That same spark remained hot on the Green Wave’s next possession when Jake Tom stepped in front of a Colt Mason pass and ran it back 28 yards for a pick-6 and a 14-0 Colts lead.

After a defensive stop, Marian’s next possession took some more time to develop with Nativity starting to narrow in on Dixon, but it ultimately worked out with a change in attack. QB Greg Tirpak tossed a short shovel pass to a crossing Tom who slipped past the Green Wave defense along the sideline to go 69 yards for the TD.

The same results repeated itself to end the first half, with another Marian defensive stop and the offense using 14 plays to once again reach the end zone. Tyler Price capped the drive with a 6-yard run.

The third quarter looked like more of the same story. After overcoming a fumbled punt return, Tirpak and Price connected once again with Price going 40 yards on the catch-and-run for the first points of the second half.

To finish their final scoring play, coach O’Gurek rewarded Jason Ashfield for his defensive work by having him end another scoring drive from the three.

“We wanted to get him a touchdown there at the end of the game,” said O’Gurek about Ashfield. “He’s like an unsung hero for us, and we wouldn’t be where we’re at right now without him.”

Nativity found the scoreboard a couple times in the fourth, including a 60-yard TD run from Mason, but it was too little too late for the visitors.

“I like to think every team I coach shows up, fights, gives their best effort and tries their best,” said Green Wave coach Pat Mason. “That’s all I can ask of these kids. We lost 16 seniors last year. We’re not the most talented team out there, but all I want my teams to do is fight.”

For the Colts, Dixon carried the offensive load for his group. Despite his numbers, Dixon is more focused on his team’s success and the expectations they hold themselves to after facing Minersville, Schuylkill Haven and Williams Valley in consecutive weeks.

“My performance is nothing without my team,” he said. “Every single game we play from now on, we hold it to that standard. If we could keep that standard of ‘Look, this is a team we’re playing and we have to show up and play,’ I think we’re going to be just fine.”

With the district playoffs on the horizon, coach O’Gurek also wants his group of players to be reminded of the progress that has been shown through the success they produced this year.

“This was big for our program because it’s the first time we’ve won seven games in a regular season in 11 years, 2014. So for us to be getting back to this point (where) we’re consistently a winning team and competing for championships is big.”

PLAYOFFS AHEAD … Marian will host Tri-Valley next Friday in the District 1A semifinals. The two teams faced off earlier in the season, with the Colts pulling out a 17-14 win. “I think it’s going to be another dogfight, but I think we’re ready for it,” said Dixon. “I think we’re going to show up for the challenge, and I’m just excited for it.”

Marian 41, Nativity 14

Nativity 0 0 0 14 - 14

Marian 14 13 14 0 - 41

M - Dixon 92 run (Bushati kick)

M - Tom 28 pick-6 (Bushati kick)

M - Tom 69 pass from Tirpak (Bushati kick)

M - Price 6 run (Spino pass failed)

M - Price 40 pass from Tirpak (Bushati kick)

M - Ashfield 3 run (Bushati kick)

N - Mason 60 run (Cooper Felty run)

N - Werez 6 run (Trezise run failed)

Records: Nativity (4-6); Marian (7-3)