The term “Jekyll and Hyde” is thrown around often, particularly in sports. But in the case of the 2021 Marion football team, one would have to say it applies. The fightin' Pats have yet to win consecutive games this fall and Marion's only road win was a 33-3 victory Week 4 at West Memphis. But even the West Memphis victory comes with a caveat. Marion warmed up at home and started the five-mile voyage after 6 p.m. for a 7:00 kickoff. Opponents have outscored Marion 39-8 on average in the Pats' three road losses, including Marion's only two mercy-rule defeats this year. “This is a big opportunity for us this week. So far this year, we've come off big wins with embarrassing losses,” said Marion coach Lance Clark. “Going on the road and playing good football is something we are going to have to do in the playoffs. It's about focus, it's about intensity, and it's about attention to detail.” Marion (4-4 overall, 3-2 6A East) gets the opportunity to kill two birds with one stone Friday night at Sheridan (2-6, 0-5). Marion won the only meeting of these schools 37-7 a season ago, scoring the last 37 points of the contest. Sheridan plays this week under second-year coach Larry McBroom, a 49-year coaching veteran who played quarterback at Oklahoma for Barry Switzer. Sheridan enters on a five-game losing streak and its two wins this fall are over Class 5A schools Hot Springs Lakeside (24-7) and Jacksonville (42-7). “Sheridan plays extremely hard and they're a well-schooled team,” said Clark. “They don't quit and they play hard for their coaches. They know what they're doing. They're a little limited in areas, but you're going to have to beat them because they won't give in.” Expect Sheridan to run quarterback C.J. Dollarhide often. Dollarhide guided Sheridan to three touchdown drives a week ago at West Memphis, and the Yellowjackets were in position to win the game late before their final drive ended at the Blue Devil 11-yard line. Clark expects sophomore quarterback Ashton Gray to start again this week in place of injured senior signal-caller Ben Gerrard. Gray completed 11 of 17 passes last week for 113 yards and a touchdown and he rushed for 102 yards, including an electric 42-yard sprint to extend another scoring drive in Marion's 38-24 victory over Pine Bluff. Kickoff at Sheridan is scheduled for 7 p.m. That contest will be livestreamed on MarionPatriots.com and on the Marion Patriots Activities Network mobile app.