Marian Catholic Colts Survive Second Half Mahanoy Area Comeback Saturday Night.

HOMETOWN- What looked like a route for much of the first half, turned into quite an endeavor of survival the last 24 minutes Saturday night at The Men of Marian Stadium, where the capacity crowd witnessed Mahanoy Area rally back to just one score but could not capitalize on an opportunity and dropped a 21-13 decision to Marian Catholic on Homecoming night for the Colts.

Marian took the opening kickoff and marched 76 yards on 8 play drive that culminated in a one yard run by Jesse Rodino with 6:43 left in the quarter and a 7-0 lead

Mahanoy could not sustain a drive on their first possession and turned the ball over back to the Colts. Marian Catholic turned that drive into points as Rory Dixon, a freshman pounded into the end zone from four yards out to increase the lead to 14-0 with just 17 seconds left in the first quarter.

4yd Rory Dixon score for @AthleticsMarian 17 seconds left 1st quarter 14-0 over @MahanoyFootball @PaFootballNews @FydSports @BoJyeaa @jaredsamuelpfn @PFNDan570FB @ArtisticMayhem1 @WilliePAFN @afrankl3

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— Brian Ptashinski (@BPtashinski) September 30, 2023

The Golden Bears turned the ball over in Marian Catholic territory. The Colts again were able to put points on the scoreboard as Dixon again found his way to cross the goal line from 8 yards out and a what looked like to be a commanding 21-0 lead with 7:36 left in the half. Dixon would finish with 102 yards on the night.

8yd touchdown Rory Dixon his third for @AthleticsMarian 7;36 till half 21-0 over @MahanoyFootball @PaFootballNews

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— Brian Ptashinski (@BPtashinski) September 30, 2023

Mahanoy would take advantage of a poor Marian Catholic punt from near their own end zone with just about a minute left in the half. The Bears had full allotment of timeouts and the ball inside red zone they got to the nine yard line when with just two seconds left till intermission quarterback Levy Terry connected with Wide Receiver Austin Green for a touchdown on a quick slant to cut the deficit to 21-13.

9yd TD pass Levy Terry to Austin Green for a @MahanoyFootball with just 2 seconds left before half @MarianColtsFB 21-7 lead @PaFootballNews

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— Brian Ptashinski (@BPtashinski) October 1, 2023

Mahanoy would get to receive the second half kickoff and behind the running of Colm McGroarty moved the ball to the Colts one from there McGroarty would cap the drive with a one yard dive but the extra point was no good leaving the score at 21-13 with 7:11 left in the third quarter.

1yd @ColmMcgroarty2 td for @MahanoyFootball 7:11 left 3rd quarter 21-13 @MarianColtsFB leads PAT no good @PaFootballNews

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— Brian Ptashinski (@BPtashinski) October 1, 2023

After that both teams would run to a rash of turnovers and missed opportunities. MCGroarty would come up with an interception to stop a Marian Drive. Brandon Klitsch would return the favor cutting a potential game tying score for Mahanoy Area in the fourth quarter. Mahanoy punting from inside their own 30, a high snap occurred and they tried to run for it but came up short and gave the Colts a great field position but they turned the ball back over.

Marian was able to get a key first down with 1:17 left and were able to run out the clock to secure the win 21-13.

Mahanoy Area drops to 1-5 on the season including three-in-a-row will be on the road to face Williams Valley (4-2) next Friday night. The Vikings took down Nativity BVM 36-28 Friday. Marian Catholic (4-2), winners of three in a row will also be on the road to face Shenandoah Valley (2-4) the Devils lost to Tri-Valley 33-14 Friday.

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