HOMETOWN — Marian coach Stan Dakosty preached all last week about the importance of getting win No. 4 against Schuylkill Haven.
Getting win No. 5 tonight against Mahanoy Area is just as important.
Fresh off last Friday’s 41-14 rout of the Hurricanes that gave Dakosty his milestone 300th career win, the Colts (4-3) host the Golden Bears (4-3) in an Anthracite Football League matchup with heavy District 11 Class A playoff implications.
Mahanoy Area currently sits No. 2 and Marian No. 3 in the District 11 Class A point ratings. Both teams will be favored to win their final two regular-season games — although Marian’s Week 10 against Tamaqua won’t be easy — and a win tonight could all but clinch a district berth.
A loss, however, opens the door for No. 4 Schuylkill Haven or No. 5 Williams Valley to improve their positioning.
“We’re in the middle of a four-game playoff series,” Dakosty said after last Friday’s win. “We have to take it one game at a time.”
The Colts welcomed back K.J. Snerr from a one-game absence due to a knee injury, and the senior running back responded by running for 226 yards and three touchdowns against Schuylkill Haven.
Marian combined a big performance from its offensive line with an opportunistic defense that forced five turnovers, as the Colts produced 343 yards of total offense.
Snerr leads the Colts’ ground game with 674 yards and eight TDs, while quarterback Ethan Kuczynski is 49-of-92 for 730 yards and nine scores. Aaron DeAngelo is his main target, hauling in 25 passes for 481 yards and six TDs.
Mahanoy Area was the surprise story of the first half of the season, going 4-1 with big victories over Schuylkill Haven and North Schuylkill.
Things started to turn south, however, when quarterback Mason Ryan was injured in the second quarter of the Bears’ Week 6 game against Blue Mountain. The Bears lost to the Eagles, then were blanked 35-0 last Friday by Jim Thorpe.
Since Ryan’s injury, Mahanoy Area hasn’t scored, and has been outscored 70-3 in the last two games.
A big night from Lenny Dulsky would help the Bears’ cause. Dulsky rushed for 329 yards and four TDs in a Week 4 win over Minersville, but has been held to just 140 yards on 45 carries and no touchdowns in the three games since. Dulsky leads Mahanoy Area’s ground-oriented attack with 784 yards and nine TDs.
Ryan’s status for tonight’s game is unknown. He has rushed for 636 yards and seven touchdowns, piloting the Bears’ flexbone offense to perfection. If he can’t go, Matt Lewandowski will get the reins for the second straight week.
Here’s a look at the rest of this weekend’s games involving local teams. Nativity was awarded a forfeit for its game slated for Saturday against National Collegiate Prep:
Tonight’s games
Pottsville (0-7)
at Daniel Boone (3-4)
Players to Watch: Pottsville — RB Darion Jacoby; Daniel Boone — QB Nick Hughes
Storyline: After a breakout night offensively last week, Crimson Tide travel to Birdsboro looking to end 18-game losing streak. Blazers have lost last four games by combined score of 174-31.
Last year: Boone 49-7
Blue Mountain (6-1)
at Tamaqua (4-3)
Players to Watch: Blue Mountain — NG Erech Noecker; Tamaqua — RB Bud Moyer
Storyline: Moyer averages 135 yards rushing per game, while Eagles’ defense surrenders just 62.6 per game.
Last year: Blue Mtn. 14-6
Lehighton (7-0)
at Shenandoah Valley (2-5)
Players to Watch: Lehighton — TE/DE Nick Chambers; Shenandoah Valley — WR Joel Santana
Storyline: Indians look to extend unbeaten campaign against Devils’ club that has given up 50 points in each of the last two weeks.
Last year: Lehighton 45-7
Schuylkill Haven (4-3)
at Minersville (0-7)
Players to Watch: Schuylkill Haven — RB Nick Kerschner; Minersville — RB Aaron Griffiths
Storyline: Hurricanes look to rebound from last week’s loss by visiting winless Miners.
Last year: Schuylkill Haven 48-14
Hanover Area (1-6)
at Panther Valley (0-7)
Players to Watch: Hanover Area — RB Brandon Chafin; Panther Valley — RB Rene Figueroa
Storyline: Panthers have shown flashes of brilliance, but need to put it all together to get first win.
Last year: Hanover Area 34-0
Tri-Valley (6-1)
at Pine Grove (1-6)
Players to Watch: Tri-Valley — QB Jaden Buchanan; Pine Grove — WR Austin Luckenbill
Storyline: The Dawgs look to stay unbeaten in the Tri-Valley League in their annual West End Gridiron Bowl game with the Cardinals.
Last year: Pine Grove 19-8
Newport (6-1)
at Upper Dauphin (3-4)
Players to Watch: Newport — RB Dalton Klinger; Upper Dauphin — QB Aaron Cleveland
Storyline: Trojans host powerful Buffaloes on Alumni Recognition Night.
Last year: Newport 49-13
Williams Valley (3-4) at
Susquenita (5-2)
Players to Watch: Williams Valley — RB Dylan Rabuck; Susquenita — RB Kevin Kenny
Storyline: Vikings’ balanced offense will get strong test from No. 1-ranked defense in TVL. Blackhawks have been surprise of TVL so far.
Last year: Williams Valley 35-7
Mount Carmel (3-4)
at Warrior Run (3-4)
Players to Watch: Mount Carmel — QB John Ayres; Warrior Run — RB Tyler Brown
Storyline: Red Tornadoes look to bounce back from last week’s loss to North Schuylkill against a power-running Defenders squad that is 3-0 at home.
Last year: Mount Carmel 47-21
Montoursville (5-2)
at Shamokin (2-5)
Players to Watch: Montoursville — RB Keith Batkowski; Shamokin — RB Preston Burns
Storyline: Indians face the unenviable task of taking on a Montoursville club that lost in OT last week to Selinsgrove.
Last year: Montoursville 55-15
Saturday’s game
Hamburg (4-3)
at Wyomissing (7-0)
Players to Watch: Hamburg — QB Nick Kuhn; Wyomissing — RB Brandon Westwood
Storyline: Hawks will need a near-perfect effort and a big day from Kuhn to knock off the state-ranked Spartans.
Last year: Wyomissing 42-7
Game Preview
Mahanoy Area (4-3)
at Marian (4-3)
Players to Watch: Mahanoy Area — RB Lenny Dulsky; Marian — RB K.J. Snerr
Storyline: Backyard Anthracite Football League rivals clash in possible District 11 Class A playoff preview. Colts have won last four meetings and 18 of last 20.
Last year: Marian 21-14