After a seven-year break, the Battle for the Blue Trophy came back — and what a battle it was.

A late second-half comeback gave the trophy to the Blue Raiders in a 12-10 win at Tamaqua’s All Sports stadium on Friday night.

Marian had control of the game for the first half and most of the third quarter.

The opening frame saw each team getting two drives apiece. Both teams came up empty and the first 12 minutes were scoreless, but Marian had momentum on its side which they carried into the second quarter.

The Colts managed to get on the scoreboard first on their third drive of the game

Marian got into scoring position after junior quarterback Gregory Tirpak completed a 22-yard pass to senior tight end Rocco Griguoli.

Junior Tyler Price completed the drive by reaching the end zone on an 8-yard run.

The visiting team extended the advantage in the third quarter on a 25-yard field goal by senior kicker Vinicius Miranda, upping the margin to 10-0.

At this point, Marian seemed to have complete control of the game.

Tamaqua, however, has junior star running back Terrance McDowell on its side and last week’s Times News Player of the Week broke off a 70-yard touchdown run to end the third quarter and cut Colts lead down to four, making it 10-6.

The big play was exactly what the Blue Raiders needed to get back into the game.

Both teams, however, traded three-and-outs. And later, when the Colts were back in possession, the Blue Raiders forced them into a 4th-and-10 situation. Marian attempted a halfback pass, but it was intercepted by Tamaqua ophomore linebacker Chance Makovec.

Momentum was now in the Blue Raiders’ favor.

Three plays later, junior quarterback Ace Schickram capitalize on the turnover with an 8-yard touchdown run that gave Tamaqua its first lead of the game.

Marian did get the ball back with 3:20 left in the game and a chance to drive for a go-ahead score. One rush and three incomplete pass attempts by the Colts, though, gave the Blue Raiders the ball back.

They would kneel out the clock to give them the impressive late comeback victory.

Tamaqua head coach Sam Bonner gave the credit to his team for this comeback — in particular McDowell, Schikram and senior fullback Camden Walker.

“Marian had it for the first three quarters, however at the end of the game our guys made some big plays when they needed to, which shifted momentum to us to be able to make the comeback.” Bonner said.

“Being a rivalry game, there was a lot of emotion during practice leading up to this game. We had a slow start to the game. We looked a little drained out there for the first three quarters, but those big plays brought us back in it.”

DOUBLE-DIGIT COMEBACK ... The last time Tamaqua trailed in a game by at least 10 points and came back to win was Sept. 24, 2021. The Raiders fell behind Salisbury 21-8 in that contest but rallied for a 27-21 victory.

UP NEXT ... Tamaqua (2-1) is home again against Executive Education (2-1). Marian (1-2) will also be home as it takes on Minersville (1-2).

Tamaqua 12, Marian 10

Marian 0 7 3 0 - 10

Tamaqua 0 0 6 6 - 12

M - Price 6 run (Miranda kick)

M - Miranda 25 FG

T - Mcdowell 70 run (kick failed)

T - Schickram 8 run (kick failed)