Story by Sam Matta
HOMETOWN – The new era in Marian football officially kicked off Friday night in Men of Marian Stadium on Stan Dakosty Field.
And it was much to the liking of its new mentor – Billy O’Gurek, a protégé of Dakosty.
Wrapping its arms around a seasoned veteran line, Marian rode the footwork of sophomore running back Rory Dixon, while the defense was nothing short of stellar to help cap an impressive 35-0, opening-night win over Wilkes-Barre’s Hanover Area.
Dixon surely was the show. He looked midseason form, juking his swivel hips en route to a 191-yard rushing night, a career high for the sophomore on 21 carries. Dixon also found the end zone on nifty 39-yard scamper to send the Colts in front 28-0 with 4:06 to play in the third quarter. Marian spread the wealth when it came to scoring.
Besides Dixon, Chase Hower cranked over the goal line for Marian’s first score, a two-yard dive, which capped a five-play, 40-yard scoring march. On its first offensive play of the second quarter, Marian went the airborne route. First-year starter Dylan Rodino flung a picture-perfect, 78-yard scoring pass to sophomore Rocco Griguoli, who got behind the Hanover secondary, and Jah Bushati booted the second of his seven PATs for a 14-0 lead.
“After that first score, I just said, ‘Thank God’,” O’Gurek said. “I thought we were a little shaky to start, but once we got our (legs) under us, things started to fall in place. The first drive we just didn’t finish the drive. I think we had a penalty. The big pass (to Griguoli) got us going. It sparked us.”
Marian polished off its third drive, an eight-play, 55-yard march. There was 2:22 to play in the first half when Marian posted its third touchdown of the evening. This one went to Buffalo-bound senior tight end Mike Gelatko, who used his massive paws to gather in another scoring pass from Rodino as the Colts sauntered off with a 21-0 halftime lead.
To be sure, Dixon was at the top of his game, and he knew where the bread is buttered.
“Without my line, I’m not going anywhere,” the 5-foot-9, 171-pound swift tailback said. “I’m giving all my props, they didn’t miss a block, they didn’t miss a beat. That allowed me to get to that next level.”
Indeed, it was smooth sailing at times for Dixon.
“You know, you watch him and he lowers that shoulder once he gets to the next level,” O’Gurek explained. “He’s tough and that’s that wrestling mentality in him. He wrestled all last winter (for co-op Panther Valley), and you see that toughness. He’s hard to bring down.”
Yet, the shining star was the defense.
“Our defense really did a great job,” O’Gurek said. “They’re tough. Jah Bushati didn’t know he was going to start a linebacker until game time (since) Zack Holt, our starter, was banged up this week. Our front guys (Julian) Hermany and (Aidan) Mikovits make it tough to run up the middle. We make no bones about it, our defense makes us strong.”
That defense thwarted Hanover’s most productive offensive series late in the second quarter. The Hawks were on the hunt, driving deep into Marian territory and getting a big pass play from promising freshman quarterback Logan Richardson. Richardson unloaded several times for long gainers, including a 28-yard completion to Jonathan Otway-Kellom, who had 78 yards in receptions on three catches, as his team reached Marian’s 25-yard line. But freshman defensive back Tyler Price picked off another attempt a the three just before halftime.
Marian put the capper on the evening, marching 67 yards on 11 plays. Rodino plunged the final one yard before Bushati’s kick put the running clock in motion.
“It’s always great to win, but more importantly, win your opener, and for a guy who is a new coach, our players responded fantastic,” O’Gurek said.
QUOTABLE I … “It’s a tone-setter. Marian’s back. We’re letting (everyone) know we’re ready,” Dixon on the first Colts win.
QUOTABLE II … “We made some big stops on defense, our offensive line did a really nice job, which allowed Rory to run the ball effectively,” O’Gurek sizing up the first win.
BY THE NUMBERS … Colts were swarming on defense, stuffing the Hawks resulting in minus 32 yards rushing. The Colts rushed for 224 net yards and tacked on another 119 passing yards.
Game Summary
Marian 35, Hanover Area 0
Hanover (0-1) 0 0 0 0 – 0
Marian (1-0) 7 14 7 7 – 35
M – Chase Hower 2 run (Bushati kick)
M – Griguoli 78 run (Bushati kick)
M – Gelatko 5 pass from Rodino (Bushati kick)
M – Dixon 39 run (Bushati kick)
M – Rodino 1 run (Bushati kick)
Team Statistics
Hanover Marian
First Downs —- 17 5
Rushes-Yards — 21-(-32) 39-224
Passes —- 8-17-1 4-8-0
Passing Yards —- 99 119
Total Yards —- 67 343
Fumbles/Lost —- 2-0 1-0
Penalties — 7-65 5-45
Individual Statistics
RUSHING: Hanover – Otway-Kellom 2-11, Campbell 8-11, Downey 4-9, L. Richardson 8-(-8), Team 2-(-32). Marian – Dixon 21-191, Ashfield 6-26, Steibler 5-16, Chase Hower 1-2, Dy. Rodino 6-(-11).
PASSING: Hanover – L. Richardson 7-17-1, 99. Marian – Dy. Rodino 4-8-0, 119.
RECEIVING: Hanover – Otway-Kellom 3-78, Campbell 2-10, C. Ricardson 1-7, Downey 1-0. Marian – Griguoli 1-78, Shigo 1-24, Gelatko 2-17.
INTERCEPTIONS: Marian – Price.
