WILLIAMSTOWN — Most observers have anointed Williams Valley’s football team the front runner in a convoluted District 11 Class A title chase.

The Vikings secured another tough victory Friday night, defeating Marian 42-20 under the Pines. The Colts (4-4) ran neck and neck with Williams Valley before the Vikings pulled away late.

It was 21-14 early in the fourth quarter when Marian’s speed and standout Tyler Price struck. Price blazed 52 yards to the end zone on a touchdown pass from quarterback Greg Tirpak.

The game was well within reach for Marian. It just needed to protect the football better.

Its defense gave Williams Valley (7-1) plenty of problems. The Vikings prefer a pound-the-ground approach, but Dominick Rodino punished the interior line while blowing up plays. Billy Ebert was equally effective, stuffing the heart of Williams Valley’s offense. When that duo wasn’t making stops, Nick Polakovich was shutting down the Vikings on the edge.

The game plan was superb, but turnovers were the difference in the outcome.

“You can’t turn the ball over five times and expect to win,” Marian head coach Billy O’Gurek said.

Those turnovers led not only to points, but also to critical field position. There was no finger-pointing. It was a team effort.

Marian’s defense rarely got a breather.

“We’re out there going (toe to toe) with one of the best teams in the district,” O’Gurek said. “And when you give them opportunities, like a good team they are, you’re going to have a tough time (winning).”

Williams Valley head coach Frank Gaffney was grateful things swung his team’s way.

“This is my first win as (head) coach under the Pines,” he said. “You know it was a very physical game and to get the (win) over a very well-coached Marian team.”

Marian opened the game with a bit of magic, stunning Williams Valley’s defense.

The Colts’ all-state tight end, Rocco Griguoli, and Tirpak connected for a 67-yard touchdown pass. Griguoli used his size to break a tackle along the sideline, outraced the secondary and scored. Vinicius Miranda added the extra point to give Marian a 7-0 lead less than two minutes into the game.

Then Williams Valley got its offense going, scoring three straight touchdowns.

The first came just two plays after Marian’s score, as sophomore Cole Hubler broke free for a 67-yard touchdown run. Hubler finished with 175 rushing yards on 12 carries and added a 36-yard touchdown run for Williams Valley’s final score.

The home team extended its lead to 14-7 on Fletcher Thompson’s 36-yard touchdown run.

Just before halftime, Trevon Bair engineered an 86-yard drive after Marian pinned the Vikings deep in their own territory. Williams Valley struck with a 57-yard pass from Cayden Witmer to Mason Bowser, then Witmer and Bowser connected again on a 26-yard touchdown pass to end the half.

Marian answered after intermission, with Tirpak and Price combining on the 52-yard touchdown that cut the lead to 21-14.

Then things unraveled.

The Colts turned the ball over three times on interceptions, including a 38-yard pick-six by Gabe Rodriguez. The touchdown came shortly after Witmer sneaked in from a yard out to cap a 65-yard drive. Suddenly, Marian found itself trailing 35-14.

The Colts’ only response came when Tirpak found Price for a 44-yard touchdown pass.

“We just got to go back to work,” O’Gurek said. “We’ve got Mahanoy Area before playing Schuylkill Haven. Right now we’ve got to stay focused for (Mahanoy). There is a lot at stake before district play.”

BANGED UP ... Both teams left the game bruised. Thompson played only the first half for Williams Valley, and his status for next Saturday’s game at Shenandoah Valley remains uncertain.

NUMBERS GAME ... Williams Valley finished with 351 total yards: 245 rushing and 106 passing. Marian struggled on the ground, managing 59 rushing yards on 21 carries, but threw for 178 yards. Griguoli caught three passes for 72 yards, Dante Tate had two catches for 66 yards, and Price finished with two receptions for 54 yards.

Williams Valley 42, Marian 20

Marian 7 0 7 6 - 20

Williams Vy. 7 14 14 7 - 42

M - Griguoli 67 pass from Tirpak (Miranda kick)

WV - Hubler 67 run (Mace kick)

WV - Thompson 36 run (Mace kick)

WV - Bowers 26 pass from Witmer (Mace kick)

M - Price 52 pass from Tirpak (Miranda kick)

WV - Witmer 1 run (Mace kick)

WV - Rodriguez 38 pass interception (Mace kick)

M - Price 44 pass from Tirpak (kick failed)

WV - Hubler 36 run (Mace kick)