Hometown Showdown: Marion hosts West Memphis tonight

Patriots, Blue Devils clash in renewal of annual football rivalry

By Chuck Livingston

Marion School District

Marion's defensive coaches begin their weekly schemes with an age-old question that dates back to playgrounds and backyards everywhere for many years.

Who guards who?

On paper it seems simple enough, but there are plenty of layers.

Marion's secondary responsibilities change by the week, with each player in the back five getting assignments to one of the opposition's skill players and taking them the whole night.

MHS adopted this man coverage scheme almost exactly one year ago, and the Pats have surrendered less than 24 points per game since that time.

The Patriot defensive backs may have painted their Picasso last week at El Dorado, forcing five turnovers in a tight 34-28 road victory.

The Pats rotate as many as seven players in the secondary, with seniors Taheem Frost and Kendrick Cauley, and juniors Kejaris Hill, Kajeris Hill, Brian Benford, Jr., and R.L. Johnson getting most of the burn.

Kejaris and Kajeris Hill, who are twins, opened eyes at El Dorado when each intercepted Wildcat passes for the first time in their varsity careers.

'Those two guys are so versatile that they give us a lot of options,' said Marion head coach Lance Clark. 'Kejaris (pronounced Key-harris) gets the top receiver every week, and Kajeris (Kay-harris) gets the back and follows him around and is still very good against the run. Having a DB who can play pass and likes to tackle is rare.'

Frost arrived in Marion prior to the 2023 season and he quickly locked a starting role at cornerback and his recruiting has heated up of late.

Cauley only played two weeks last season before returning during the off-season and earning most of the reps

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in games. Johnson and Benford have impressed coaches with their strong play all season.

Marion's secondary will need to continue playing well this week when the Patriots host south Crittenden County rival West Memphis to Southern Bancorp Stadium for a 7 p.m. kickoff.

The Marion-West Memphis rivalry has taken many twists and turns since it originated in 1979.

The series saw three non-conference contests played at Hamilton-Schultz Field, and after West Memphis won all three meetings, the closest of which was 14-0, the series was shelved until 2006, when Marion and West Memphis were suddenly 6A East conference foes. The Blue Devils outlasted the Patriots in late September 2006 in West Memphis, a dramatic 28-25 conquest in front of a crowd believed to be as many as 7,000 people in attendance.

But, despite Marion's best efforts, West Memphis continued to get the best of the Pats for more than the next decade. The worm finally turned for Marion on September 24, 2021, when MHS returned to Hamilton-Schultz Field and blasted the Blue Devils 33-3, marking Marion's first victory over West Memphis.

Marion made it a trend in 2022 and 2023, besting West Memphis by a combined 10 points to fashion a winning streak in the series.

'I've been lucky enough to have been part of some great rivalries in my time as a football coach and player,' said Clark, who is 3-0 against West Memphis on the field. 'I like this one as much as any of them. It's great for our community, as well as theirs.

We always have big crowds so it feels like a big deal.

Most importantly, both towns support their teams. You run into people at Sonic and they're talking about the game. It's always on your mind.'

There have been whispers of less interest in this year's game given West Memphis's worst start to a season since 2013 (0-5 overall, 0-2 6A East), but Clark quickly puts

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that notion to bed.

'Those dudes are still plenty talented,' the coach says.

'They didn't wake up one day with no talent. They have seven starters on defense, and they have guys who can go on offense. They do start a couple of freshmen on offense, but they're talented, and they make plays. They have a bunch of ability. The record doesn't matter because they've played a tough schedule and have gotten better every week and they just played their best game last week. They're figuring out who they are, and if we don't take this seriously then we will get beat.'

HOW TO WATCH

You can attend Friday night's big game by buying a ticket for $10 apiece at the Marion School District central office, Marion High School's office, or the front office at Marion Junior High. You can also watch online for free on MarionPatriots. com, on the MPAN YouTube channel, or on the MPAN mobile app.

HOMETOWN SHOWDOWN

The Fred Leonard State Farm Hometown Showdown is scheduled for Friday night prior to kickoff. The event will run from 3:30 p.m. until 6:45 p.m., and you will need a game ticket to attend the tailgate. The tailgate will feature live music and fellowship.

RANKINGS RUNDOWN

Marion earned a No. 4 statewide ranking last week in every major ranking, including Hooten's Arkansas Football, and the Arkansas Democrat- Gazette.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Twins Kejaris and Kajeris Hill shared last week's Crittenden County Farm Bureau's Player of the Week award for their excellent play in Marion's close victory at El Dorado. Junior linebacker Zadean Wilson earned the team's Patriot of the Week award, while senior left tackle, all-state performer and Louisiana State commit Carius Curne earned the team's Offensive Lineman of the Week.

IN A RUSH

Marion senior tailback Jalen Smith is 174 yards away from breaking 2017 grad Tom Young's all-time rushing record. Smith bolted for 108 yards and four touchdowns at El Dorado. Smith is currently Marion's second-leading rusher all time.

MAKING UP GROUND

Marion was a combined 0-23 all time against El Dorado and West Memphis prior to the 2021 season, but the Pats have gone 5-2 against those teams over the past four years.

6A EAST GAMES ON 10/11

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

6A EAST STANDINGS

Marion 2-0 Benton 2-0 LR Catholic 2-0 Jonesboro 1-1 Sheridan 1-1 El Dorado 0-2 Sylvan Hills 0-2 W. Memphis 0-2 Top six teams make playoffs.