Upon reviewing film Wednesday morning, one couldn’t help but be impressed by Marion seniors Johnny Nichols and Kyjuan Rodgers, nimbly lead blocking and flattening Wynne defenders for a crucial touchdown run in last week’s dramatic 24-21 season-opening victory. Nichols actually swatted two Yellowjackets to clear the path. You would swear the athletic Nichols and Rodgers were natural H-backs. Except they make their money on Friday nights as standout players on Marion’s (1-0 overall) defense, which last week limited Wynne to 195 yards of total offense. “We think we have one of the better defensive lines in the state,” said Marion coach Lance Clark. “We think we can play toe-to-toe with anybody. Our two leading tacklers against Wynne were defensive linemen, which is not easy to do or common against the option. The defensive lineman tends to get bottled up, cut, or whatever else.” Rodgers and Nichols topped Marion’s tackle chart against Wynne with six solo stops apiece, while fellow defensive linemen Jeremiah Nichols and Trent Knighten each logged five tackles. “Jeremiah Nichols has a motor that’s unbelievable. You cannot teach a motor like that. That’s a high skill,” said Clark. “Guys who never get tired and just play the entire snap 100 mph is rare. I’ve seen less of that than I’ve seen guys who run a 4.5 40-yard dash. Trent is out there grinding it out with a hurt ankle and playing well.” In addition to playing all 48 defensive snaps against Wynne, Rodgers and Johnny Nichols also moonlighted on offense in short-yardage situations, drives inside the red zone, and “virtually the entire final drive,” said Clark. “That’s what we’re trying to build here. Just about any team can hit a big play on occasion but getting those dirty ones, extending those long drives, that’s what makes you good.” While Marion continues to craft its program into Clark’s image, the Patriots’ next opponent is as close to a finished product as one could imagine. The three-time defending Class 7A state champion Bryant Hornets (1-0 overall) lie in wait this week at Hornet Stadium. Bryant, who enters play on a 31-game winning streak, trailed for less than six minutes during the 2020 season. No team in the state’s largest classification has won four consecutive state titles in the modern playoff era (since 1969.) “Our defensive linemen dominated against Wynne. That was the story of the game,” said Clark. “Bryant has the best offensive line, in my opinion, in the state and it may not be close.” Bryant’s offensive line boasts a trio of three-year starters, including all-state tackles Will Diggins and Brooks Edmonson and all-conference guard Jason Shifflet. The Hornets played a pair of quarterbacks in their 42-3 victory over Saline County rival Benton. “The skill kids are really good and talented, just unproven,” added Clark. The Bryant defense returns a pair of starters in 2021 but rotated eight defensive linemen against Benton and lines up in a variety of fronts. Kickoff Friday night is scheduled for 7 p.m. Only cash will be accepted at concession stands. The game will be livestreamed on marionpatriots.com. Tickets must be purchased in advance here ( Click Here& ) as no tickets will be sold in person.