NORTHERN CAMBRIA — The first chapter in the story of the Ligonier Valley Rams football program will be one its players, coaches and fans will remember for a long, long time.

The program, reshaped this summer by the Ligonier Valley and Laurel Valley merger, started off in style Friday night with a 39-6 win at Northern Cambria.

The Rams used a bevy of big plays on offense and a defense that smothered the Colts in the first half to get off to exactly the kind of start that coach Roger Beitel and his staff were looking for.

“It was extremely important for us as a team and as a program to get that first victory on the first night,” Beitel said.

Whatever the distractions surrounding the merger, Beitel said the team has come together well, and gave the credit to his assistants.

“Our coaching staff has done an amazing job with the kids, getting them to concentrate on football,” he said.

The margin of victory allowed Beitel to make sure everyone got to enjoy the moment.

“Every kid got in in the school’s first game,” he said.

“That was extremely important for me as a coach to make sure that  was done.”

Despite the final score, Colts coach Paul Taranto was able to come away with some positives.

After a nightmarish first half, Northern was able to run the ball effectively after intermission.

“Everyone knows (the Rams are) going to be a good team,” he said. “Our kids never quit, and I can live with that.”

It took less than two minutes for the Rams to record the first score in the new program’s history.

After returning the opening kickoff to the 41, LV moved to the Northern Cambria 35 before senior Bryan Saxton broke in the clear on a reverse and raced down the left sideline.

“That’s something he’s going to have forever,” Beitel said. “That was awesome.”

“It’s a big honor,” Saxton said.

“Any one of our backs could have scored it.”

Saxton credited a huge hole on the play and observed that he was “almost untouched” on the TD.

Mark Ebberts recovered a botched Northern Cambria lateral on the next series, putting the Rams in business at the Colts’ 15. Three plays later, Saxton took an inside handoff on a misdirection play and sprinted in from 19 yards out.

Beitel said Northern Cambria’s defense was overplaying the threat of tailback Russell Markosky outside, which left it vulnerable to the misdirection plays.

“It’s nice to know that if they take one thing away, we have other weapons we can come back with,” Beitel said.

Ligonier Valley extended its lead to 20-0 in the opening moments of the second quarter.

On a fourth-and-11 play from the Colts’ 35, Saxton was able to out-jump two Northern Cambria defenders in the end zone and come down with John Jones’ pass.

An interception by Anthony Tutino set up the Rams’ final score of the first half, After taking over at their own 42, Ligonier used a facemask penalty, a 21-yard pass from Jones to Saxton and a 23-yard toss from Jones to Charles Miller before Jones got the TD on a keeper from the 1.

Northern Cambria, which was stymied for most of the half, threatened in the closing seconds when a 33-yard pass from Jeff Hogan to Andy Hancharik and a 30-yard run by Nate Zachesky took the ball to the Ligonier 5 before time ran out.

The Rams scored again on their first possession of the second half. Ryan Knupp opened the drive with a 35-yard dash, and Markosky carried five times in the 87-yard march before he scored the from the 9.

Northern Cambria, which put together three nice drives in the second half, answered with a 65-yard scoring march of its own, keyed by a 24-yard run by Ben Britton. Hancharik covered the final 3 yards behind the right side of his line to get the Colts on the board.

Ligonier Valley then showcased yet another twist. Senior standout linebacker Devon Cesario, listed as a guard on offense, was employed as a fullback. Cesario had an 11-yard carry on the Rams’ first possession of the half, then broke free for a 44-yard touchdown run after the Colts’ score.

Notes: The Rams were without another of their defensive standouts, Clayton Nanassy, who sustained a broken hand at practice earlier in the week. ... Knupp topped a balanced Ligonier rushing attack with 11 carries for 66 yards, while Saxton added 65, Markosky 57 and Cesario 56. … Hancharik rushed for 68 yards for the Colts, and Gary Paronish added 42. ... Northern Cambria hosts Saltsburg next week, while Ligonier opens its home schedule against Homer-Center.