Marion Athletics -

If you've been around the Marion football team through the spring or summer sessions, there have been two overwhelmingly prevailing phrases that you've heard above all else.

And it may not necessarily be what you'd expect.

Marion has adopted “it's about us” and “put the ball down” as its unofficial rallying cries for the 2025 season.

“In the past, we have gotten caught up in things beyond our control at times,” said fifth-year Marion head football coach Lance Clark. “This year, we have really leaned into focusing on ourselves, our level of play and production, as well as moving on to the next play and giving great effort there. If the opponent makes a play, we want to move on to the next one, so put the ball down and let's keep playing.”

After averaging more than seven wins per season over the past five years, including a pair of semifinal appearances and another quarterfinal run, Marion faced a major staff overhaul for the first time since Clark arrived in 2021. Offensive coordinator Zach Tribble took a job in the Dallas area, while defensive coordinator Rod Stinson accepted the head-coaching job at Blytheville.

Dylan Mussleman succeeds Tribble as OC, while Tate Benton takes over for Stinson as the DC, and each coach boasts an impressive resume already in their respective coaching careers.

Benton has experience coaching in the SEC at Vanderbilt and Mississippi State, before revamping Beebe's defense and helping guide that school to its most victories since 2018.

Mussleman played for and got his coaching start under Clark when the duo was in Alabama.

“Those two bring us a wealth of knowledge and have helped us look at things differently,” said Clark. “We don't want to reinvent the wheel or anything, but adding some new concepts could enhance what we already have.”

Fans will get their first chance to see the 2025 Marion football team at 7 p.m. on Friday night, when the Patriots host Class 5A power Valley View inside Southern Bancorp Stadium for the teams' annual benefit scrimmage.

Tickets are $5 at the gate, and no passes will be accepted for this ballgame as the funds go towards the Arkansas Activities Association's (AAA) catastrophe fund.

You can watch the Marion-Valley View game for free at the Marion Patriots Activities Network YouTube channel, or by following the “broadcast” link at msd3.org/o/mpan.

This should be one of Marion's more experienced outfits in recent memory, and on both sides of the ball.

The Patriots' leading returning passer (quarterback Zayden Walker), rusher (tailback Rico Ward), and receiver (Jeremy Dent) are expected to have big roles again this year at the skill spots, while Marion expects three seniors to play most of the reps in the offensive line (Gavin Latham, Jasean Burks and Philip Walker).

On the defense, Marion could start the Valley View game with 10 starters among the stop troops, with five more rotating heavily.

All-state performer Ryan Blackwell should start a third season at end, opposite Marterion Bazemore, with Makhi Guyton at the noseguard and Zimran Phelix rotating at end.

All-conference performers Chris Byrd and Zadean Wilson return at linebacker, where Bryson Gladney impressed coaches over the summer.

Seniors dot the secondary, as well, with twin brothers Kajeris and Kejeris Hill delivering big plays, along with classmates R.L. Johnson and Brian Benford, Jr., lining up in the defensive backfield.

“Seniors win in high school football,” said Clark. “These guys have been through our program now, they know the expectations, and they've really been looking forward to this year. Of course, they're talented guys, but they also love the game.”

The Marion-Valley View benefit scrimmage will feature projected starters playing the entire first half and one offensive and one defensive series of the third period, followed by players who will rotate on Friday nights, and the fourth quarter will be for younger players.

Special teams will be dead on Friday, meaning that there is no rush on punts or kicks, and no return on kickoffs or punts.

Marion officially opens its 2025 season at 7 p.m. Friday, August 29, when the Wynne Yellowjackets visit Southern Bancorp Stadium.