Marion still in the hunt for share of 6A East title

Playof positions still on the line as Patriots take on unbeaten Benton

From the University of Arkansas

arkansasrazorbacks.com

While Marion's Week 9 loss inside War Memorial Stadium to Little Rock Catholic was disappointing to a competitive football team like this year's Patriots, Marion's goals for this season are still right in front of them.

For the third season in a row, Marion will play its Week 10 football game with an opportunity to win a share of the conference championship, and the coveted No. 1 playoff seed.

“We have been lucky the past few years to play in big games with a lot on the line late in the year,” said fourth-year Marion head football coach Lance Clark. “This time it's different because if we simply win on Friday night then we are conference champions and we get the No. 1 playoff seed.

It's a huge showcase for our program and our fans to have a game like this on Friday night.”

The 2022 Patriots played at Little Rock Catholic Week 10, and if Marion had beaten the Rockets that night then the Patriots would have earned a share of the 6A East conference title, but still been the No. 3 playoff seed.

Last year, Marion absorbed a September loss to mighty Benton, but the Patriots ripped off four victories in a row to clinch second place at worst in the 6A East, and a victory over Catholic last year coupled with a Benton loss would have given the Patriots a share of the league crown.

As luck would have it, Benton comes calling again this week, and Marion's playoff outlook is pretty straightforward.

Should Marion beat Benton (8-1 overall, 6-0 6A East) then the Patriots would earn a share of the conference title for just the third time in school history (1984 and 2006), but more importantly, Marion would earn the No. 1 playoff seed, which comes with a first-round playoff bye, and home games in the state quarterfinals and semifinals should the Pats advance that far.

A loss to Benton would drop Marion to the No. 3 playoff seed, and the Pats can not finish as the No. 2 playoff seed no matter what happens with Little Rock Catholic's game with Sylvan Hills.

“It's very special to be able to win a conference championship, and get a No. 1 seed with a win,” said Clark.

“There won't be anything easy about it, but being able to control your own destiny is all you can really ask for in this game.”

Friday evening will also be Marion's Senior Night when 34 Patriot football players will be recognized before kickoff.

“That's been a phenomenal group of football players and young men for us,” said the Coach. “The good news is that we will have another home game in the playoffs, but I'm excited for them to get the recognition that they deserve for everything they've done for us here at Marion.”

Benton has won eight consecutive games since a seasonopening loss to Class 7A juggernaut Bryant in August, and the Panthers are looking to be the first repeat 6A East

See PATS, page A8 PATS

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conference champion since Pine Bluff in 2016 and 2017.

Benton has outscored its league opponents by a combined 319-98 so far in 2024, and the Panthers' closest contest inside the 6A East was a 48-35 victory over Jonesboro on September 27. “Benton really has it all, a huge offensive line, three receivers who could play for anyone, their running back has come on the last few weeks, and their quarterback is maybe the best one they've ever had there,” said Clark. “The offense is always good for Benton, but this might be the best defense they've had since I've been playing them. The defensive line is excellent, it's the same linebackers we've seen the last few years and they're good tacklers and read it fast.

The secondary is really good and quick. To me, that's been the difference this year for Benton is how well the defense has been playing.”

HOW TO WATCH

You can watch the Marion-Benton football game and Senior Night festivities for free on Friday night at MarionPatriots. com, on the MPAN YouTube channel, or on the MPAN mobile app.

Senior Night will begin at 6:30 p.m., and kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Marion junior defensive back Brian Benford, Jr., earned the Crittenden County Farm Bureau Player of the Week award for his performance against Little Rock Catholic, when he stacked six tackles, intercepted a pass, and made key plays on special teams.

Marion all-state left tackle and Louisiana State commit Carius Curne won the team's Offensive Lineman of the Week award after racking up 24 pancake blocks at LR Catholic.

Jaylon Crawford won the DTMG Patriot of the Week.

BENTON SERIES

These teams have split their previous four meetings on the field, with Marion earning playoff victories in 2011 and 2021. Benton has won league games the past two seasons.

SENIOR NIGHT

Marion seniors Jalen Smith, Christian Young, Taheem Frost, Carter Moore, Cam Garrett, Delawrence Davis, Mitrell Lewis, Emanuel Key, Rukeim Bohanon, Kendrick Cauley, Antonio Reed, Jaron Davis, Tywon Sneed, Carter Malone, Chris Stokes, Nick Bledsoe, Ethyn Lewis, Maxwell Jordan, Tayshon Lowery, Taylin Rucker, Bradley Tolleson, Carius Curne, Elijah Doss, Myles Dukes, David Patterson, Charlie Cantrell, Clifton Lawson, Michael Watson, Cole Barham, Kylon Sanders, Corey Yates, Marselo Amaya and Christopher Williams will be recognized prior to kickoff.

WINNING STREAK

Marion has won 22 games over the past three seasons, with at least two more contests remaining this year.

That's just off the pace of Marion football's class of 2007 and 2023 for best three-year stretch in program history (23 wins).

6A EAST STANDINGS

Benton 6-0 LR Catholic 5-1 Marion 5-1 El Dorado 3-3 Jonesboro 2-4 Sheridan 2-4 W. Memphis 1-5 Sylvan Hills 0-6

6A EAST GAMES ON 11/8

Benton at Marion Sheridan at El Dorado Jonesboro at W. Memphis LR Catholic at Sylvan Hills