SHERIDAN --- While breaking in sophomore quarterback Ashton Gray, Marion has relied more than ever on its running game to generate points. That formula did not change here on Friday night as the Pats rushed for 302 yards and three touchdowns, including a career-high 179 steps and a pair of scores from tailback Cam Anderson in Marion's (4-5 overall, 3-3 6A East) 42-12 victory at Sheridan (2-7, 0-6). The Pats have topped their previous season high for points each of the past two weeks. Seven tailbacks earned carries at Sheridan. Marion's victory extended the school record of consecutive playoff berths to 17. The Pats have not missed the postseason since 2004, when Marion tied for the final playoff spot from the AAAA East but lost the head-to-head tiebreaker to Paragould. Defensively, the Pats surrendered less than 200 yards for the third time this season and the first-team defense allowed just one touchdown. The defense recorded seven tackles for lost yardage. “For us, the playoffs started tonight,” said Marion coach Lance Clark. “Play time is over. We didn't play as well as we needed to on either side of the ball tonight, but we did enough to win a big game.” The scoring started on Marion's third drive when junior Carter Waldo culminated a five-play, 74-yard drive with a 15-yard touchdown drive to give the Pats a 7-0 lead. Marion saddled Anderson up on its next drive as No. 3 carried five times for 28 yards to get the Pats inside the red zone. Gray connected with senior Kaleb Catt, who had missed the previous three games, for a 10-yard TD and a 14-0 Marion advantage. The Pats converted a pair of third downs on their third scoring drive before Anderson ran the last 5 yards to paydirt for a 21-0 Marion lead that doubled as the halftime tally. “We played OK, especially on defense early on,” said Clark. “I thought we largely did some some good stuff early in the game. The defense set the tone early on.” The third quarter featured three touchdowns in a span of seven plays. Zion Burnside put the Pats up 28-0 when he ran 32 yards to glory with 4:44 remaining in that frame. Following a Sheridan three and out, a Gray pass was intercepted in Marion territory. Yellowjacket QB C.J. Dollarhide sprinted 40 yards for the 'Jackets first TD, but a missed extra point kept the Marion lead at 28-6. Donnie Cheers fielded the ensuing kickoff at his own 15-yard line and put a move on the Sheridan coverage team back towards the sideline. The big-play Marion junior hit the jets and outran Sheridan to the end zone for an 85-yard kickoff return and a 35-6 Pats lead. Marion took over at the Sheridan 41-yard line following a three and out following Cheers' return and Anderson turned it into a TD on the first play from scrimmage to trigger the running clock with a 42-6 lead. “Your best players have to respond because that's who the team tends to follow,” said Clark. “Donnie Cheers making a play is what we needed after a turnover and a TD.” Marion hosts Jonesboro on Thursday night at 7 p.m. Senior night festivities will begin prior to kickoff. The game will be livestreamed on MarionPatriots.com and on the Marion Patriots Activities Network mobile app.