It is always dangerous to compare scores, particularly in high school football, and definitely from one season to the next.
Having said that, a comparison of Marion's first two games of 2025 compares favorably to the Pats' initial two contests from the 2024 season.
To be fair, Marion was 2-0 last year at this time after rallying in the second half to beat Wynne 34-28, and after blowing the game open after halftime for a 37-7 victory over Harding Academy.
This fall, however? Marion has proven dangerous in all three phases and has removed much of the drama from its first two non-conference victories over Wynne (60-27) and Harding Academy (51-7).
“We were hoping that we'd be able to do some of the things we have been able to do in the preseason,” said Marion coach Lance Clark. “Most of our guys are a year older, stronger, and better. But, overall, our team has handled business against really good competition. We haven't gotten rattled, we have stayed the course, and we have done a lot right.”
Marion had to weather some adversity in the opener against Wynne, trailing 20-13 in the second quarter, but a run of 33 unanswered points pushed the decision towards the Pats at home.
Last Friday night at Harding Academy, Marion senior quarterback Zayden Walker hit senior receiver Aamoni Wren for a 90-yard touchdown pass on the very first play of the game, and the Pats never looked back, leading 35-0 after a quarter, and 44-0 early in the second quarter.
“We have been able this year to get a score, get a stop, score again,” said Clark. “That sounds simple, but it's really not. The consistency in the first two games has been great both ways. We have recovered onside kicks in both games, and we have had a return touchdown in both games. It's been a very encouraging development for us so far.”
Marion looks to maintain a high level of play this Friday night when Class 7A power Conway (1-1 overall) visits Southern Bancorp Stadium for a 7 p.m. kickoff. Each team's final non-conference contest will be broadcast for free on the Marion Patriots Activities Network YouTube channel, with pregame beginning around 6:30.
Legendary Arkansas high school football coach Buck James took over at Conway prior to the 2023 season after guiding Camden Fairview to the most productive five-year span in school history, and turning Bryant into the most dominant big-school dynasty in state history with five consecutive Class 7A state titles from 2018 to 2022.
“They are starting to look like a Buck James production,” said Clark. “Coach James believes in the trenches, thinks that's where you win big, and he would know. Their offensive and defensive lines are stellar. They have two dominant players in their defensive line, and they play eight or nine of them all the time. The offensive line is well-schooled and huge. That's where they really excel, up front and in the trenches.”
Conway opened its season with a 68-37 victory over Marion's 6A East league rival Jonesboro, but 7A West superpower Bentonville flummoxed the Wampus Cats last Friday night in a 41-17 decision.
The Faulkner County outfit returns nine starts for 2025, including seven on offense, which creates anxiety for Clark.
“They have a bunch of kids, and it seems like they can all play,” said the coach. “They have a good quarterback, a great running back, two or three good receivers, and their tackles are great. They play fast on defense, and just make a bunch of plays.”
Marion led Conway 7-0 in the first quarter of last year's meeting before the Wampus Cats scored the game's final 49 points for a non-conference victory.
HOW TO WATCH
You can watch the Marion-Conway game for free on the Marion Patriots Activities Network YouTube channel. The broadcast will feature Marion's pregame, featuring the Pledge of Allegiance and the Marion Patriot Pride Band's fanfare, as well as halftime performances from Marion cheer and the Patriot Pride Band. Pregame begins around 6:30 p.m., with kickoff slated for 7 p.m.
PREGAME PLEDGE
Marion Junior High will lead the Pledge of Allegiance prior to kickoff of Friday night's home date with Conway.
RANKINGS RUNDOWN
Marion maintained its No. 4 ranking in Class 6A this week on Hootens.com and on ScoreBookLive.com. The Patriots remained at No. 5 in the weekly Arkansas Sports Media Poll rankings and in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette's weekly SuperSix Class 6A rankings.
Conway is ranked No. 6 this week on Hootens.com and in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette's Class 7A rankings.