FOUNTAIN SPRINGS - This one was a full-out scrap from beginning to end.

No one was giving anything away - not a yard, not even an inch.

Like two pit bulls waging a battle for territory, Marian and Nativity staged Schuylkill County’s version of the Catholic Holy Wars on Saturday night.

Playing through remnants of Tropical Storm Ophelia on a rainy and cool late afternoon, the Colts turned to a number of veteran seniors to hang on for a thrilling 12-6 victory.

The game-clincher came thanks to a Mike Silliman interception in the red zone with 3:16 remaining as the Green Wave appeared touchdown-bound.

Playmakers make plays, and Marian had several who did exactly that. In addition to Silliman, Jessie and James Rodino both came up huge for Marian. In addition, unsung freshman Rory Dixson came off the bench to replace leading rusher Jayden Fermin (foot injury) in the second quarter to help secure the victory.

“This was a war - a pair of great rivals going at it for four quarters,” said Marian coach Stan Dakosty. “We expected nothing less (coming) in. It’s such a gutsy win for our team, it keeps us on course.”

On course - as in a postseason playoff berth in the District 11 Class A tournament. Now with five games remaining, Marian put itself in solid position for a second-half run.

“This was big for us,” said James Rodino, the rugged two-way Marian senior lineman proclaimed of the win. “But we still have a lot of work to do. We’ve got to stay focused and finish strong. This win is a nice way to send us into the second half of the season.”

Marian had taken the early lead in the game when bruising Jessie Rodino burst into the end zone on a 1-yard plunge with 2:04 left in the first quarter.

The drive was reminiscent of Marian teams of yore. Using its offensive line, Marian marched right through the heart of the Green Wave defense, using a time-consuming 14 plays. Four big plays stood out in the drive, all passes by quarterback Bruce Hopeck. Fiemen latched on to passes that gained nine and 10 yards, and Brandon Klitsch caught an 18-yard pass before tight end Mike Gelatko also snagged an 18-yard completion.

“We hit some key passes, for sure,” Dakosty said of the opening drive.

Marian’s second touchdown came in the waning seconds of the first half and was set up by Klitsch’s punt return to the Nativity 45 with four minutes on the clock.

The Colts looked stymied after a pair of runs lost six yards, but a pass interference call sustained the drive. Dixson got the call at this point, and responded in glowing fashion, polishing off the second Marian touchdown. The frosh carried five times - the last a four-yard dive into the end zone to give Marian a 12-0 halftime lead.

In the second half, it seemed like Nativity was forever knocking at the doorstep and putting pressure on Marian’s defense. Nativity finally hit the end zone on its second possession of the third quarter as it culminated a 49-yard march on a Sam Spolski 1-yard touchdown.

Nativity was riding a wave of momentum, and it drove into Marian territory before running out of downs at the 30. The Green Wave then slapped together a drive starting on its own 38. A big 22-yard third-down pass from Ben Kritzer to Nolan Ferhat made things nerve-wracking for the Colts before Sillman stepped up, latching on to an interception, which deflected off a Nativity receiver, to preserve the win.

“I called a timeout and challenged our kids,” Dakosty explained about the late Green Wave drive. “We then got that big pick (by Silliman).

It was a great win.”

TOUGH GOING … Playing though the steady rain, both teams struggled to put up big numbers on offense. Marian gained a total of just 144 yards, and Nativity only 169.

STICKING IT … Colts defense can be junkyard-tough at times. They swarm to the ball. Gelatko is the real deal. He can break up plays and is a stud on defense, while also displaying soft hands when catching passes. Kudos to Silliman, who came up with a fumble recovery in addition to his interception

CLOSING OUT THE WIN … “Coach Dakosty said we needed two first downs to clinch the victory. I wanted it, and I just tried to plow into the line and create space for our halfback Rory (Dixson).” said Colt fullback Jessie Rodino about Marian’s final offensive series following the Silliman interception.