Jake Tom, Marian (Photo courtesy of First Class School Photography)

LANSFORD — Another chapter in the Marian-Panther Valley rivalry had all the drama Friday night.

Marian, revitalized after some down years, continued its strong start with a 39-12 victory over the Panthers in a Schuylkill-Colonial Blue Division football game Friday at Panther Valley Stadium.

The Colts improved to 3-0 for the first time in years, pulling away in the second half.

Marian (3-0, 2-0) scored three touchdowns using the same offensive play from scrimmage, then relied on its defense and special teams to take control.

Clinging to a 7-6 lead at halftime, the game turned quickly in the Colts’ favor.

It started when junior running back Rory Dixon — who had been limited to 36 yards on 19 carries — made his biggest play on defense. Dixon intercepted a pass and returned it 64 yards for a touchdown to open the third quarter.

Just over a minute later, Marian struck again. Jake Tom, a soccer player turned football standout, took an inside reverse 40 yards for his first career touchdown.

Three minutes later, Tom delivered again — this time on special teams. He returned a kickoff 80 yards for his second score of the night.

“Last year I kicked extra points,” Tom said of his part-time football role. “Coach was telling me we ran (the reverse) last year for a touchdown. I was waiting for the play to be called. Once I got to the edge, I knew I was going to score.”

“(Panther Valley) did a great job all evening stopping our run game,” Marian head coach Billy O’Gurek said. “We couldn’t block their front. They were much bigger than us. They took away our attempts to run the ball. We knew coming in they had a size advantage. But we have guys who can make plays and run. That’s a difference for us compared to the last few years.”

The first half was a grind. It was scoreless after one quarter before Dixon capped a 12-play drive with a 4-yard run to make it 7-0.

Panther Valley answered with an 80-yard march highlighted by quarterback Brody Breiner’s passing. Breiner connected with Gavin Yuricheck on a 12-yard completion and later found Marcus Rodriguez for a 50-yard screen. Sophomore Chase McArdle capped the drive with a 10-yard touchdown catch. McArdle finished with four receptions for 48 yards and also had a strong defensive night.

“We were hungry and we showed it for a while,” Panther Valley head coach Mark Lavine said. “But we gave them three touchdowns, and the mistakes in the second half … we can’t have that in a big game.”

The Panthers stayed close after Tom’s reverse touchdown, pulling within 20-12 on Breiner’s 4-yard run set up by a 50-yard strike to Yuricheck. But Tom’s kickoff return swung momentum back to Marian.

In the fourth quarter, the Colts extended the lead. Quarterback Greg Tirpak scored on a 2-yard run and sophomore Tyler Price added a 39-yard interception return for a touchdown.

Marian, now 3-0 under O’Gurek, hosts winless Shenandoah Valley next week.

“I don’t know how long it has been since a Marian team won three straight,” O’Gurek said. “Right now we got out of here and can focus on our next game.”

Panther Valley’s defensive front turned in a gritty performance, led by Carlos Maldonado, Brody Vermillion, Marco Tessitore, Rodriguez and Troy Nunez. Breiner also stood out, throwing for 228 yards (15-for-27, one interception) and rushing for a score.

By the numbers: Marian rushed for 157 yards, led by Tom with 45. The Colts attempted just five passes, completing one for 13 yards. Panther Valley was held to one net rushing yard but gained 228 through the air.

Game Summary

Marian 39, Panther Valley 12

Mar (3-0, 2-0) 0   7   19   13  – 39

PV (0-3, 0-2)   0   6    6     0  –  12

MC – Dixon 4 run (Bushati kick)

PV – McArdle 10 pass from Breiner (pass failed)

MC – Dixon 64 interception return (Tom kick)

MC – Tom 40 run (kick failed)

PV – Breiner 3 run (pass failed)

MC – Tom 80 kickoff return (kick failed)

MC – Tirpak 4 run (Tom kick)

MC – Price 39 interception return (kick failed)