Stan Dakosty wants to put each of his players in a position to succeed when their number is called.

Rory Dixon is no different.

The freshman has made an instant impact for the Marian offense.

He has stepped in – and stepped up – for a team that is riding a four-game winning streak.

Dixon carried the ball 28 times for 214 yards and two touchdowns in last Friday’s 30-0 victory over Shenandoah Valley, a performance that earned him the Times News Football Player of the Week.

His workload has increased due a season-ending injury to senior standout Jayden Fermin midway through the season. But it’s a role Dakosty knew Dixon could handle.

“Certainly when we lost Jayden (Fermin), who I think is an outstanding football player and outstanding young man, it was a major concern,” Dakosty said. “Rory had a good preseason for us and got some snaps during the year. He was next in line, and he was ready to go. What they say is when the opportunity presents itself, if you’re ready, then you’re going to be successful. And I think he’s benefited from being around a veteran football team, especially our offensive line, which is blocking really well.

“But he’s a great athlete. He’s a true student-athlete; a great student and really mature for a freshman. So we’re excited about the work that he and our entire offense are doing. And I’m sure he’ll give the credit to the offensive line, fullback and so forth. And that’s the team concept that we preach. But he’s done a great job for us.”

Dixon credits Fermin for his growth and development.

“I feel great now with my role in the offense, and that’s all thanks to Jayden, honestly,” said Dixon. “Without Jayden in the beginning of the season during heat acclimation and the doubles, going through Week 1 and Week 2 and him explaining everything to me. And then when he went down, I felt horrible. But I knew I had to step up.

“But even while he’s been down, he’s still been mentoring me and explaining stuff to me and breaking stuff down. He’s great with that.”

Dixon punched in touchdown runs of six and 36 yards, showcasing the athleticism of a back just starting to hit his stride.

“I think there’s no doubt about it,” Dakosty said of the game slowing down for Dixon. “He’s got a good tempo for the feel of the game now as far as the speed of the game. And he’s making some good reads; he had a great spin move last week, which is showing a sign of maturity as a running back. So that was good to see. I expect him to just get better, just like I expect our whole team to get better, we expect him to get better.

“He’s quick to the hole. He’s got a great burst, and now he’s showing some secondary moves, which is only going to make him better. And the thing about it, too, is he’s also a very good blocker. When we need him to block, he’s a good blocker for us.”

It was just the second start of the season for Dixon.

“Our line is incredible, and just the way the holes open up, the first couple weeks of it I wasn’t really able to see it,” said Dixon. “But now as it’s slowing down and I’m able to use my vision and break it down, for how good our line is and how well they stick to their blocks and know their assignments, it’s incredible.”

It was a complete effort for the Colts, who are now 5-2, limiting the Blue Devils to just 11 yards of total offense and keeping them off the scoreboard.

“The shutout, and one of the leading receivers (Nick Ryan) in the whole area basically, had one catch for minus three yards,” Dakosty said of his takeaways from the game. “The secondary played really well, but we got pressure on the quarterback. And our offensive line, and our fullback (Jesse Rodino) they came off the ball really well. We were blocking guys four, five yards down the field. If we can continue that, we have a chance to be successful for sure.”

And Dixon is happy to play his part any way he can. It’s a culture he’s been a part of long before taking a varsity snap.

“I was the ball boy here for quite a few years, too,” said Dixon, who started around third grade. “My first year as ball boy, any time we’d break a big run, you’d see me, if we were on TV, or on film, you’d see me running down the sideline with our guy.”

And now it’s Dixon making those highlight reel runs.