The Lance Clark era begins this Friday night in the most historic setting in Arkansas high school football history when Marion plays Little Rock Central at Quigley-Cox Stadium. The benefit game, which begins at 7:00 p.m., features starters playing the first quarter, with reserves taking over in the second stanza. Starters return for the third quarter, which features a running clock. The fourth quarter pits the junior varsity squads against each other for a quarter. The scrimmage features special teams with no rush or returns, meaning the ball is spotted where the returner catches it. “The biggest thing I want to see from our team on Friday is great energy and enthusiasm,” said Clark. “Right after that, any coach wants to see execution, but we also recognize that it's early in the year and we will look a lot different in five weeks.” Senior tailback Cam Anderson, senior all-conference receiver Zion Burnside, Senior Kaleb Catt and junior Donnie Cheers, Jr. are dangerous, proven players on offense, but Marion must figure out its ideal starting offensive line combination. Senior quarterback Ben Gerrard will likely play three quarters of the scrimmage Friday night. The Patriots have playmakers on each level of the defense, with the front seven (defensive line and linebackers) returning six starters. The secondary isn't as seasoned, but “we are talented back there,” said Clark. Friday's game will not count on either team's 2021 win-loss record, but don't tell that to Clark. “I'm looking to win every quarter. I want us to win in every moment,” said the coach. “We want to teach our kids all of this matters. As long as they're keeping score, we want to win the thing. We want to set our identity, which needs to be enthusiasm and positive energy on the sideline with each other. Picking each other up is a big part of our program.” LR Central also undergoes a coaching change this fall, with George Shelton succeeding Kent Laster. Shelton has guided Augusta and Dollarway to state title games in his career. Last season, Shelton led Class 4A Dumas to a 9-4 record and the state quarterfinals just one season after the school finished 1-9. “We've been preparing for them to run the 4-2-5 on defense because that's what Coach Shelton's done for a long time and he's won a lot of games doing it,” said Clark. “They're trying to find an identity on offense right now. We are preparing for everything we can. If they come out in the Spread, we have a plan. If they come out in the Wishbone, we have a plan. Flexbone, we have a plan. That makes this a little dicey defensively, but if we can handle this mentally, then we should be able to handle most things.” LR Central won all four meetings with Marion when the schools were members of the 7A/6A East blended conference from 2012-2015. The Tigers beat the Pats 14-6 October 30, 2015, the last meeting of the schools. The LR Central benefit game will not be available for livestream due to AAA rules. Marion opens its regular season Friday, August 27 at 7:00 p.m. at home against Wynne.