Marion head football coach Lance Clark thought that his 2025 team would have a stingy defense and an explosive offense throughout the summer.
Fans saw glimpses of it in Marion's impressive benefit scrimmage victory over Valley View, and it played out in full view in last Friday night's season-opener against Wynne.
Marion exploded for 33 unanswered points in the second and third quarters last Friday night inside Southern Bancorp Stadium, turning a 20-13 deficit into a 33-20 halftime lead, and a 53-27 advantage after three quarters, en route to a 60-27 conquest of the Yellowjackets.
“What you saw tonight was that our fastball is really fast,” said Clark, who's in his fifth season at Marion. “We definitely didn't always play our best, but once we did, you saw what this team is capable of, because we think Wynne is going to be a really good team, they have a lot of tradition, and we were able to pull away.”
It was Marion's third straight victory against Wynne, the first time the Patriots have accomplished that since winning five times in a row from 2005-2009, and the 60 points Marion scored is likely the most ever in a single game against the Yellowjackets.
Marion (1-0 overall) pulled away by producing huge plays on offense and special teams.
The Patriots tied the game at 7 with 8:20 left in the first quarter on a 63-yard touchdown toss from Zayden Walker to Solomon Flores.
Trailing 14-7 late in the first, the Marion defense forced a punt, which Kajeris Hill returned 84 yards for a score, and the Patriots trailed 14-13 after a quarter.
After Wynne scored on the first play of the second quarter for a 20-13 lead, Kam Riley covered the final 41 yards on the ground for a dazzling TD run that moved Marion within 20-19 with 10:46 left in the first half.
Jeremiah “Jet” Dent visited the end zone on Marion's ensuing possession, scoring from 15 yards away, to give the Pats the lead for good at 25-20.
Marion piled on its final drive of the first half when Walker completed a beautiful back-shoulder throw to Aamoni Wren for a 17-yard TD toss that gave the hosts a 33-20 halftime lead.
Riley punctuated Marion's initial drive of the third quarter with a 38-yard scoring sprint, followed by a Dent 41-yarder for a 46-20 lead, and when Kejeris Hill responded to Wynne's final touchdown with an 82-yard kickoff return for a score, the Pats led 53-27 after three quarters.
Jeremy Dent capped the scoring with a 34-yard TD run with 6:50 left in regulation.
"Obviously, we like scoring 33 points in a row," said Clark. "It's a credit to our kids that we didn't get down when we trailed in the second. The sideline may have gotten a little flat at times, but it didn't linger. It's a testament to our kids that we could make so many mistakes and still score 60 points and win a game like this against a great program."
Marion rolled up 425 balanced yards (214 passing and 211 rushing) against Wynne, led by Walker completed 12 of 20 passing attempts for 214 yards and four TDs, while the Patriots rushed 22 times for 211 yards, more than 9 yards per attempt. The Patriots averaged more than 10 yards per play against the Yellowjackets.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Marion continues the non-conference portion of its schedule on Friday night, when the Patriots travel to play Class 5A power Harding Academy at 7 p.m. You can watch the game for free on the Marion Patriot Activities Network YouTube channel, or by following the “broadcast” link at
BROTHERLY LOVE
Two sets of brothers accounted for five of Marion's touchdowns last week against Wynne.
Jeremiah Dent scored two times in addition to his 55 yards rushing, while his brother, Jeremy, bolted 34 yards to paydirt in the fourth quarter. Senior twin defensive backs Kajeris Hill and Kejeris Hill returned a punt 84 yards and a kickoff 82 yards for scores, respectively.
DEFENSIVE DEMONS
Senior defensive stalwarts Ryan Blackwell and Zadean Wilson continued their assault on opposing offenses so far in 2025. Blackwell stacked nine tackles, including two for losses, and a sack against Wynne, while Wilson logged seven stops, two TFL, and a sack of his own.
6A EAST RESULTS FROM 8/29
Marion 60, Wynne 27
Sylvan Hills 55, Maumelle 54
Bryant 40, Benton 10
Conway 68, Jonesboro 37
Hot Springs 57, W. Memphis 20
Sheridan 58, White Hall 28
LR Christian 35, El Dorado 14
LR Catholic 21, Texarkana 20
6A EAST GAMES ON 9/5
Marion at Harding Academy
Hot Springs Lakeside at Sheridan
El Dorado at Camden Fairview
Jonesboro at Joe T. Robinson
Sylvan Hills at Vilonia
LR Catholic vs. St. Pius X (Mo.) in Frisco, Texas.
Benton and W. Memphis are open