As the calendar churns towards fall, the Marion football team looks to cruise into high gear. The Pats get that chance on Friday night when they play their annual benefit scrimmage at Class 5A power Maumelle. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., and that contest will not be broadcast live on MarionPatriots.com. Marion's season opener on Friday, August 26 at Wynne will be broadcast live on MarionPatriots.com and on the Marion Patriots Activities Network mobile app. The Friday night scrimmage will feature one half of varsity action with projected starters and most of the backups competing in a controlled environment. The special teams will be modified with no rush and no returns. Starters will play the first drive of the third quarter, when that group gives way to all of the backups and younger players. The fourth quarter will be played with a running clock for juniors and sophomores. “The way I see it, we have three games on Friday night,” said second-year Marion coach Lance Clark. “We have the first portion, second, and third portions, and we want to win them all.” Marion returns just three starters on offense, including one senior. Senior all-conference wideout Donnie Cheers starts his third season for the Pats, and it's possible he could rewrite Marion's all-time receiving record book. Cheers needs 74 receptions, 1,059 yards, and 11 touchdowns to become the school's leader in all three categories. Junior Matthew Kearney returns in the slot and as a dangerous punt returner. Junior Ashton Gray starts at quarterback, with sophomore Jalen Smith rounding out the skill players at tailback. Junior right tackle Carter Benton is Marion's only returning starter in the offensive line, and the Pats do not feature any seniors in their top 10 players on the offensive line depth chart. Charlie Cantrell worked at several spots up front this summer before emerging at center in August. His classmate, Carius Curne, has played well at left tackle, while Johnny Miller, and Jermaine Davis anchor in at guard. Austin Watson and Akeelo Allen should get many reps as well. “That will likely be the first five we send out there on Friday, but that can always change,” said Clark. “We will make adjustments as needed, but they've all shown us something here lately.” Marion's defense features a host of veterans, including senior defensive linemen Jerrimiah Nichols, Antanius Tiggs, and Garrett Dickerson. Seniors Brian Weatherspoon and Carter Waldo return at linebacker, while seniors Jakobe Smith and Tucker Brown start as cornerbacks. Maumelle kicks off on Friday after winning 18 games over the past three seasons. Last year's Hornets beat Marion's 6A East rival Sylvan Hills 31-21 in the season opener before finishing fourth in the 5A Central to make its fifth straight playoff appearance. Five of Maumelle's losses came by a combined 17 points. “I coached in that league (5A Central) for three years, and as far as athleticism, speed, and all that, Maumelle takes a back seat to nobody,” said the coach. “They have a new coach this year, and they're doing a few things a little differently, but we know what type of players they have. It'll be a big test for us.” Maumelle returns only four starters in 2022, but quarterback Weston Pierce earned all-conference honors a season ago, and tight end Amarie Rogers owns scholarship offers from Florida Atlantic and UT-Martin. Linebacker James Whitley is Maumelle's leading returning tackler. Clark was clear about what he expects from his team at Maumelle. “For us it's about turning in a professional performance,” said Clark. “We're talking no pre- or post-snap penalties. How are we handling the ball? No busted assignments, sound tackling, are we running to the ball on defense? We need everyone to play with energy and spirit.”