Mount Vesuvius let things fly and nearly buried the Marian football program.

A natural disaster of epic proportions had hit the Colts, The combination of a declining school enrollment, a low turnout for the team, and a plethora of injuries once the season started left Marian football on the verge of extinction..

When Pompeii’s citizens were buried in the ashes, there seemed no end in sight.

The way the 2019 football campaign ended for the Colts, the outlook appeared just as bleak. A 1-9 season had concluded with forfeits to Mahanoy Area and Tamaqua.

Pat Morgans had the unenviable task of trying to succeed a coaching legend when he took over the Marian reigns from Stan Dakosty following the 2016 season.

A former standout player with the Colts who had made a name for himself as an assistant coach and offensive corrdinator at several different high schools, Morgans did his best to make it work, but following last season he stepped down from the position.

Needing a lifeline for the program, Marian turned to a familiar face.

When the Colts kick off the 2020 season Friday night, Dakosty will be once again calling the shots on the sideline.

One of the most succesful coaches in Pennsylvania High School football history, Dakosty has been charged with the task of reviving the Colts’ program,

Dakosty immediate goal has nothing to do with victories and championships that were so common during the glory days of the program. His first priority is to instill pride and passion in the program.

Dakosty knows what he needs to get accomplished and most of that occurs long before the final sunset melts summer away. Football games are not won in August, or September, or October. They are won in the cold, dark winter and the chilly spring air - better known as the offseason.

And make no mistake, it was a busy offseason for Dakosty and the Colts.

First, Dakosty quickly attacked the numbers issue by creating an excitement around the football program. He walked the hallways and convinced memebers of the student body who were currently playing football to come out for the team. Once he added some bodies, he turned to his past, getting former players to Zoom in on meetings and write letters to the current team.

“Our numbers are up and we able to get kids who haven’t played football before or hadn’t played in a number of years to buy in and that’s been a huge factor,” Dakosty said.

After ending the 2019 season with a roster number in the low teens, the Colts will open 2020 with 35 players on the roster.

Although he wasn’t coaching at Marian the last three seasons, Dakosty stayed connected to the sport and to coaching by helping out at Colgate University where his son Stan Dakosty, Jr. is offensive coordinator.

The volunteer work at Colgate not only provided a break after 40 years as a head coach, but it also re-energized Dakosty and his love for the sport.

“I got to do some hands-on coaching during (the preseason), so I really never did step away from the game itself,” Dakosty said. “I really enjoyed my time at Colgate. Even though I only did it during the preseason, it gave me the opportunity to stay in the game.”

Dakosty said when Marian officials asked him to return to the program, he realized it was an offer he couldn’t turn down.

“You know, it’s all about family here at Marian,” he said. “It truly is a Marian Family. When I called on our (alumni) they were quick to get on board and help us in any way possible.”

Can that help and Dakosty’s return to the sidelines make Marian successful once again?

“You know I’m a positive guy,” Dakosty said. “We have a lot of great, young kids. I’m totally happy with how our returning players have been working and how the new players are contributing.

“Guys like Julian Cerullo, Owen Brady and Mason Fristick … they are true senior leaders - some of them haven’t played football since seventh or eighth grade - but you would never know it. They’re going to be a big part of the program as we move forward this season.”

You could hear the excitement in Dakosty’s voice as talked about the upcoming season.

It’s obvious that the juices are flowing and his passion is still there.

The Colt program appears to have survived - in large part because Dakosty refused to believe it wouldn’t.

POSITION BREAKDOWN

QUARTERBACKS - Marian head coach Stan Dakosty is turning the quarterback reigns over to Julian Cerullo, an athletic 6-5,172-pound senior who hasn’t played since eight-grade. The coach says his work ethic is tremendous and he has the skill set to succeed. Sophomore Andrew Baran is the backup.

RUNNING BACKS - At fullback will be first year senior Mason Fristick (5-10, 185) and sophomore Joe Walko (5-8, 161). At tailback are speedy sophomore Xavier Ocasio (5-8, 172) and senior Owen Brady (5-8, 175). Brady will also see time at slotback where he will be joined by Jacob Fenstermaker (5-10, 170), who Dakosty called the fastest player on the team.

WIDE RECEIVERS - Junior Luis Teron (5-10, 153) and first-year senior Blake Bianco (5-10, 149) top the depth chart. Juniors vying for time are Noah Sendatch (6-0, 195) and Matt Rehrig (5-10, 201). Dakosty also said as many as four freshman could see action, including brothers James Rodino (6-1, 184) and Jesse Rodino (6-1, 176) as well as Brandon Klitsch (5-10, 144) and Carsyn Chambers (5-8, 142).

OFFENSIVE LINE – Center Corey Rehnert (6-0, 320) and tackle Robert Sunder (6-1, 233), a pair of veteran seniors, anchor the line. Guards John Milosh (6-1, 185) and Rawlin Melendez (6-2, 235) join tackle Ethan Smith (5-11, 287) in rounding out the starting unit. The backups are Zach Deremer (5-11, 200), Zach Kenney (6-2, 277) and Bruce Hopeck (5-10, 218).

DEFENSIVE LINE – The Colts’ 5-2 look will have Rehnert at nose guard, Sunder and Smith at the tackle position with ends Melendez and Milosh at the ends.

LINEBACKERS – Fristick, Walko and Deremer will be part of the rotation for the two starting spots.

SECONDARY – The defensive backfield should be solid. The corner positions have outstanding speed with Ocasio and Teron first on the depth chart and Fenstermaker part of the rotation. Brady should start at free saftey with Bianco backing him up. The strong safety will be Rehrig, a hybrid type player who can walk up into a linebacker spot if needed in short yardage situations. Baran will be his backup.