Marion Athletics -

Fifth-year Marion head football coach Lance Clark believed all summer and fall camp that his 2025 team would play with passion and excitement on Friday nights.

After Marion's dress rehearsal last week, it's safe to say that he was correct.

Marion scored touchdowns on four of its six first-half drives (the last expiring with the clock), and the Patriots topped Class 5A power Valley View 28-14 in each school's benefit scrimmage at Southern Bancorp Stadium.

The Pats rolled up more than 300 yards in the first half, which featured each team's projected starting offense and defense, and MHS got four combined touchdowns from brothers Jeremy and Jeremiah Dent to account for all of its scoring against Valley View.

Marion senior quarterback Zayden Walker completed 10 of 18 passes for 132 yards against Valley View, including a 41-yard completion to senior playmaker Solomon Flores, who caught two passes for 53 yards.

The contest featured starters in the first half and then the first offensive and defensive drive of the third quarter.

The Marion defense allowed two big plays, but got a lift from senior linebacker Zadean Wilson, who tallied three tackles for loss, Kajeris Hill (three tackles and a pass breakup), Ryan Blackwell (four tackles with a sack), and Kejeris Hill (two pass breakups).

Jeremiah Dent started the scoring on Marion's initial drive of the exhibition, scoring from four yards out for a 6-0 lead that became 7-0 when sophomore Brody Wasion added the extra point.
But Valley View got even on the next drive when the Blazers methodically marched and got a five-yard TD scamper from QB Barrett Mallett.

Marion senior tailback Rico Ward set the Pats up for success on the ensuing drive with a 41-yard run to get MHS inside the red zone.

Jeremiah Dent cashed it in four plays later when he scored from nine yards out, and Wasion's point after gave MHS a 14-7 lead, which doubled as the score after one quarter.

The Blazers battled back to tie it at 14 early in the second quarter when QB Levi Manning hit Camarion Davis for an 18-yard touchdown, but Marion took the lead for good on its ensuing drive when Jeremy Dent took an option pitch from Walker, ran through a tackle near the 5-yard line, and scored for a 21-14 Patriot lead.

Flores took center stage following a Blazer punt, catching that 41-yard strike down the middle of the field before getting tackled at the Valley View 2-yard line, and Jeremiah Dent scored one play later to give Marion a 28-14 lead.

WHAT'S NEXT?
Marion officially opens its 2025 regular season on Friday night at home against the Wynne Yellowjackets. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m., but if you can't make it in person, then you can watch for free on the Marion Patriots Activities Network YouTube channel.