Photo by Josh Zelinsky

PINE GROVE — Marian head coach Billy O’Gurek said his Colts are at their best when they run the ball well and are opportunistic on defense.

Marian was both Friday night in a Schuylkill-Colonial Blue Division game against Pine Grove.

The Colts forced four turnovers, including a pick-6 by Tyler Price, and Rory Dixon rushed for 110 yards and three touchdowns en route to a 35-0 victory over the Cardinals.

Price finished with two interceptions, while Dixon and Dante Tate also had picks as Marian (6-3, 5-3 Blue) snapped a three-game losing streak and pitched its first shutout of the season.

Dixon scored on runs of 27, 44 and 5 yards. His first score came after the first interception and put the Colts up 7-0.

Tyler Price then capped a second-quarter drive with a 22-yard run to put Marian up 14-0 at intermission. An interception by Pine Grove’s Teagan Schneck-Haines prevented Marian from extending its lead right before the half.

Dixon extended Marian’s advantage to 21-0 with his 44-yard run in the third quarter. Price followed with his pick-6, a 58-yard interception return, three plays later and the Colts were comfortably ahead 28-0.

Dixon’s final score came after Marian blocked a punt inside the 7-yard line and recovered at the 5. Dixon ran it in on the next play.

The victory, coupled with Tri-Valley’s loss to Minersville, vaulted Marian into second place in the District 2/11 Class A power ratings and clinched a playoff berth for the Colts.

Marian finishes the regular season Thursday with a home game against Nativity. Pine Grove (1-8, 1-7 Blue) concludes the regular season next Friday at Williams Valley.

Game Summary

Marian 35, Pine Grove  0

Mar (6-3, 5-3)         7          7          14          7  —    35

PG (1-8, 1-7)          0          0          0          0  —    0

Mar — R. Dixon 27 run (Bushati kick)

Mar —Price 22 run (Bushati kick)

Mar — R. Dixon 44 run (Bushati kick)

Mar — Price 58 interception return (Bushati kick)

Mar — R. Dixon 5 run (Bushati kick)

Team Statistics

Marian – Pine Grove

First Downs —- 12      11

Rushes-Yards — 30-173      35-142

Passes —- 3-7-1      3-16-4

Passing Yards —- 27      46

Total Yards —- 200      188

Fumbles/Lost —- 2-1      4-0

Penalties — 3/20      2-10

Individual Statistics

RUSHING: Marian — R. Dixon 20-110, Price 7-58, Ashfield 2-5, Tirpak 1-0. Pine Grove — Troup 20-88, Snyder 7-26, W. Dixon 3-15, Kurtz 5-13

PASSING: Marian —- Tirpak 3-7-1, 27.  Pine Grove —- Snyder 2-10-2, 21; W. Dixon 1-6-2, 25.

RECEIVING: Marian — R. Dixon 2-15, Price 1-12. Pine Grove — Schneck-Haines 1-25, Ballard 1-11, Troup 1-10.

INTERCEPTIONS: Marian — Price 2, R. Dixon, Tate. Pine Grove — Schneck-Haines.