Marion looks to get back to basics Friday night when it hosts the Searcy Lions at Premier Bank Stadium. The Patriots hit the midway mark of the 2021 schedule at 2-3 overall and 1-1 in the 6A East following last week's 24-10 loss at defending conference champion Sylvan Hills. The record isn't what first-year coach Lance Clark wants, but he offers a nuanced take of the situation. “Our team is finding out who we are. Our kids are finding out who we are,” said Clark. “We, as coaches, are finding out who we are.” Marion pummeled West Memphis Week 4 for the first victory in series history, but the Patriots struggled through last Friday night's game at Sylvan Hills. The Sylvan Hills defense allowed Marion just 10 points (second fewest this season), seven first downs, and forced a pair of turnovers. The Bear offense rushed for 279 yards without completing a pass and dominated the time of possession, highlighted by their first touchdown drive that drained 8:53 off the clock. It's been an eventful three-year run for Searcy. The 2019 Lions finished 12-1 and became the first 6A East team since the Arkansas Activities Association expanded football to six classifications in 2006 to win the state title when they bested Benton 28-27 in the title. Three months following the championship game, Searcy coach Mark Kelley accepted a job as offensive coordinator at Conway. Former Batesville Southside coach Kenny Simpson succeeded Kelley at Searcy and guided the Lions to a 4-7 record. Simpson returned to Southside this off-season as offensive coordinator, paving the way for former Arkansas and Central Arkansas QB Zak Clark to take the reins at Searcy. Expect Searcy to attack the Marion defense in an entirely different way than Sylvan Hills' Flexbone this week. Senior quarterback Ckyler Tengler completes 54 percent of his passes this fall for 911 yards and eight TDs with five interceptions. Junior tailback D.D. Johnson eclipsed the 1,000-yard rushing mark in last week's 44-7 victory over West Memphis. Johnson averages 10 yards per carry this year with 12 TDs. Johnson succeeded senior Daniel Perry at tailback when Perry shifted to receiver during the off-season. Perry paces Searcy this fall with 31 receptions for 425 yards with a TD. Senior Reid Miles has caught six TD passes this year. “Like a typical Searcy team, it's very good on the offensive line,” said Clark. “They play very hard on defense and that's half the battle on defense. If you're willing to play hard then you've really got something there.” Searcy has won eight of the past nine meetings with Marion to lead the all-time series 8-7. Searcy has not lost in Marion since 2011. Kickoff Friday night at Premier Bank Stadium is scheduled for 7 p.m. That game will be livestreamed on MarionPatriots.com and on the Marion Patriots Activities Association mobile app.