PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

PATS (cont.)

We have to get off the mat and fight. We have to stop feeling sorry for ourselves because we have everything left to play for.”

Searcy returns 10 starters this year, including alleverything tailback DeDe Johnson, who rushed last season for 1,974 yards and 21 touchdowns to earn allstate

honors.

“If you even want to think about beating Searcy you have to stop DeDe and you have to stop the big receiver,” said Clark. “They’re both excellent players and the coaches know how to get them the ball.”

High-flying Searcy averages 31.2 points per game, but the defense surrenders 39.4 points per game.

Cheers won his second consecutive Crittenden County Farm Bureau Player of the Week award after snagging a pair of TD passes and kicking an extra point against Benton.

Antanius Tiggs earned Patriot of the Week after playing most of the snaps on offense and defense.

Aqeelo Allen earned his second Offensive Lineman of the Week award of the season after earning the highest blocking grade and recording the most pancake blocks against Benton. B.J.

Williams earned Scout Player of the Week.

Marion famously played Benton last week missing eight starters to injuries, but the Patriots got good news on that front early this week. Quarterback Ashton Gray, offensive linemen Carter Benton and Carius Curne, tailback Jalen Smith, and linebacker Carter Waldo have all been cleared to return to football activities. Gray, Benton, and Curne are expected to rejoin the starting lineup on Friday at Searcy, while Smith and Waldo will be gametime decisions. Senior kicker/punter Ben Cherry will miss the Searcy contest.

Marion still controls its own destiny in the league title hunt despite the loss to Benton. Should the Patriots win out, they would earn at least a share of the 6A East title. Benton has the headto- head tiebreaker on Marion, but Little Rock Catholic beat Benton three weeks ago. Marion plays at LR Catholic Week 10.

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