Almost everyone knows about the two sides of the ball in football, but it’s easy to forget about that third phase, which swings games every week across the country, at every level.
After three weeks of the 2026 Marion football season, the Pats’ special teams appear to be up to snuff.
Marion has delivered consistent play on special teams against Mountain Home, Wynne, and Lake Hamilton, and it hasn’t gone unnoticed.
“We have been very competitive so far on special teams this year,” said first-year Marion head football coach Claude Johnson. “The types of things we are doing there so far this year can become a weapon for us this week and later on in the year.”
Veteran Marion assistant coach Terry “T.J.” Johnson leads the Pats’ kicking teams, which remain competitive every season, no matter who may graduate from one year to the next.
“Coach (T.J.) Johnson always gives us an edge there,” said Claude Johnson. “He’s very enthusiastic in prepping for our matchup every week, no matter what. He’s always looking to create an edge or steal a possession somewhere. He has our kids ready to go.”
The most noticeable way that Marion’s special teams unit has been ready to go so far in 2026 has been on extra points and field goals, where the Pats have not yet missed a kick.
Jullian Tucker snaps long and medium for Marion, while senior skill player Kam Riley holds for senior kicker Brody Wasion.
Wasion did not make a field goal as a junior and made 75 percent of his extra points, but the senior has blossomed this fall, making both of his field goals so far, and all six extra points.
“Our place-kicking operation has been clean and smooth this year,” said Claude Johnson. “Snaps have been right on, Kam has gotten them down, even if they may be a little off, and that’s a big thing. Brody has added a ton of leg strength; he’s been working hard. He’s always been confident in what he’s doing, and that’s only grown this year, and for good reason. We feel great about that unit right now.”
Wasion’s added leg strength has stretched to the kickoff teams, where he is now pinning teams farther back than ever before, routinely kicking inside the 20-yard line.
When Marion punts, sophomore Beau Fenter has boomed those opportunities, averaging almost 30 yards per punt, with a long of 41 yards, and one has landed inside the 20-yard line.
“I’ve been so happy so far with the punt coverage, the exchange; that operation has also been great,” said Claude Johnson. “Beau gives us an athlete at punter, so a strong leg, and if he has to field a high or low snap, he’s comfortable doing that, and then he gets it away quickly. He’s a real asset back there.”
Marion has had to cycle through kick and punt returners so far this fall, but whether it was Jeremiah Dent, Riley, Kole Clay, or Chase Davis, Claude Johnson has been happy with that production, as well.
“All of those guys are dynamic with the ball,” said the coach. “We are going to pop one at some point if we keep running those guys back there.”
Marion’s kicking teams will get a workout on Friday night when the Patriots welcome Class 7A Conway into Southern Bancorp Stadium.
Conway enters play Friday night at 1-1 overall in 2026 after beating Capital City, Missouri 45-7 in its opener before losing a tight 20-14 decision last week to Class 7A Bentonville.
“Conway is a group that will be physical, fast, all the traits you see from the really good teams,” said Claude Johnson. “Coach Buck James is a legend in Arkansas; he’s won a million games, and his teams always show up to compete. We have to do the same thing this week. We have to be ready to play every snap mentally and physically at the highest level. We can’t take any plays off because Conway will not take any plays off.”
HOW TO WATCH
Kickoff on Friday night is scheduled for 7 p.m. inside Marion’s Southern Bancorp Stadium, but the evening gets underway before that with the public’s first opportunity to see the 2026 Marion Patriot Pride Band live prior to kickoff.
Friday night is also First Responder’s Night in honor of the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks.
Following that, Marion Math, Science and Technology (MST) Magnet School will perform the Pledge of Allegiance.
If you can not attend the Marion-Conway contest in person, you can watch that game for free on the Marion Patriots Activities Network (MPAN) YouTube channel.