It has been somewhat of a roller coaster type season for Marian in 2024 — with some definite twists and turns along the way.

The Colts (4-3) have been able to mount momentum at times, and this week is yet another opportunity to put themselves on the right trajectory, as they head south on Route 81 to take on a 6-1 Williams Valley team in the Times News Game of the Week.

Looking back on the season, Marian did put itself in a good spot, heading into a rivalry matchup at 3-1 against a struggling Mahanoy Area squad, but the Colts came away with a surprising loss to the Bears.

However, Marian did bounce back the next week on the road against a good Minersville team, defeating the Miners 20-14 in overtime.

Then just a week ago, the Colts dropped another tough contest to a Schuylkill Haven squad that is one of the best 2A teams in the state.

This week, it doesn’t get much easier for Marian as it takes on a Vikings team that has just one loss, which came at the hands of Schuylkill Haven.

When the Colts have played clean hard-nosed football, they have ended up in the win column this season.

“When we have played well and to the best of our abilities, we have played clean football,” said Marian head coach Billy O’Gurek. “We have taken care of the football, we have forced turnovers, and we have possessed the ball and controlled the clock.

“Grinding it out and moving the sticks and controlling the clock has been a winning recipe for us. At this point in the season, you know what you can do well, and you know what works. When we play that brand of football, we feel we are in a good position to come away with a win.”

Sophomore running back Rory Dixon has been the workhorse for Marian this season and when the Colts have been able to get him going, that’s when they have been able to put points on the board.

Dixon leads the team with 918 rushing yards — second in the Times News area — and 10 rushing touchdowns.

“Williams Valley will run their typical 4-4 defense, and they have their typical tough and physical kids. Like we do every week, we’re going to look to establish the run,” said O’Gurek. “Where we need to be good is on third and even fourth down if it comes to that. We had a few short yardage situations last week that we were not able to convert on.

“It’s key that we make plays this week to extend drives. That means we’re also going to have to make some plays in the passing game as well. We need to move the sticks and try and keep their offense off the field.”

The Vikings offense has been one of the best in the Colonial-Schuylkill League this season at putting up points, as they average 37.7 points per game.

Williams Valley is led by its junior quarterback Brady Shomper, who has thrown for 1,178 yards and 17 touchdowns with five interceptions, and has also rushed for 491 yards and nine scores.

Shomper’s top target in the passing game has been Kian Krzyzanowski, who has hauled in 39 balls for 714 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Freshman phenom tailback Fletcher Thompson has also been impressive, leading the Vikings with 774 yards and six rushing scores.

“It all starts with the quarterback. He’s a great player, and he leads a very balanced offense,” said O’Gurek. “This is a much different opponent than last week where you’re just gearing up play after play to stop the run.

“The key will be keeping the quarterback in front of us. We have to try and limit his explosive plays. We also have to come to play along the line of scrimmage. That is going to be a battle in there, and we need to match their toughness and physicality.”