One would be hard-pressed to pick out a determining factor in Marian Catholic’s season-opening win Friday night at the Stan Dakosty Field of the Men of Marian Stadium in Hometown.

The reason is because the Blue and Gold played well in all facets of the game, chalking up an impressive 27-0 win over the Schuylkill Haven Hurricanes.

The Colts dominated play on both sides of the ball, scoring two first quarter touchdowns that were really all they needed, then not allowing the Hurricanes to cross the midfield stripe until the second half. Marian added a pair scores after admission to turn the game into a rout.

“Just a blue collar program that went out and shut out a pre-season top 10 team,” coach Stan Dakosty said after his squad rolled up a 321-178 difference in yardage, controlling the tempo from start to finish. “I’m so proud of these kids, and proud of our coaches. We went out and handled a team that was predicted to go 7-0. It’s a credit to how hard our players worked in preparation for the opener.”

Behind the running of tailback Jayden Fermin, 15 carries for 142 yards, and key completions by Bruce Hopeck, 5 for 11 for 113 yards, the Colts struck on their second possession, going 65 yards in eight plays. Hopeck found all-state candidate Michael Gelatko twice in the series, for gains of 12 and 31 yards, before connecting on a 22-yard TD strike to Michael Silliman with 3:31 on the board, giving the hosts a 6-0 advantage.

After the Hurricanes bobbled a punt snap on the next possession, Marian made it 14-0 when Jesse Rodino hauled in a Hopeck pass and turned it into a 39-yard tally at the 2:26 mark of the first quarter. Hopeck passed to Brandon Klitsch for the two-point conversion. “Our receivers came up with big plays,” Dakosty said.

For all intents and purposes, the scores were all Marian needed as an overpowering defense prevented Haven from getting into the game.

Meanwhile, the Colts went to their ground game, grinding out 208 yards on the ground, including a 73-yard run by Fermin at the 6:58 mark of the third quarter. That made it 21-0, and reserve back Charlie Hower added a 16-yard touchdown with :31 left to play to round out the scoring.

Both Dakosty and Haven coach Mike Farr both stressed the dominance of the Marian line play, Dakosty saying, “You win and lose all the time in the trenches. Our offensive line did a great job.”

Farr said, “Marian really played well. We made too many mistakes, so we own that, but the game was won in the box, where their O-line did a great job. Anybody could have run through some of those holes. Give Marian all the credit. They outplayed us from start to finish.”

Haven had only one scoring opportunity, taking the second half kickoff and going 36 yards on eight plays to the Marian 30. But Colt Dylan Zullo’s fumble recovery ended the threat.

OUTSTANDING CROWD

... The traditional seasonal opener drew a big crowd, prompting Dakosty to comment, “Our fans were great, and our kids appreciate them. We’re looking forward to the same level of support next week.”

BIG CONTEST LOOMS

... The Colts will host Minersville next week in a key matchup. The Miners defeated the Colts 20-12 a year ago and recorded a huge 38-34 winner last night over perennial power Tri-Valley.

PLENTY OF FLAGS

... The opener saw over 20 flags thrown against the two teams, including 12 for 90 yards against the Colts and 8 for 90 yards against the Hurricanes. Eleven of the 12 Colt penalties were in the first half.

HIGH HUMIDITY

... Game was interrupted several times because of cramps that several players sustained due to excessive humidity.