Third-year Marion head football coach Lance Clark never seems to run out of ways to explain the exploding participation in his program. Anything from more jerseys, pads, and helmets, to competition for practice areas, and adding games for Marion football teams from the seventh grade and up are all on the agenda less than two weeks before his team's August 25 season-opener at home against Wynne. “We are in a position here where people are excited about what's going on in our program, and that's a great thing,” said Clark. “We want every kid who wants, to be part of what we are building here. If you want to work hard and be part of this then we want you out.” The biggest selling point for Clark's program, as it is in most athletic realms, is winning. Marion has won 15 games over the past two seasons, the Pats' best run since winning 15 times in 2010 and 2011, and the second-most prosperous run in program history. Marion won 17 games in 2005 and 2006. After Clark's magic carpet ride run of 2021 that saw him take over the Marion program in June, his first squad struggled out of the gate with starts of 1-2 and 2-3. Marion hit its stride at midseason, winning six of its final eight games with the only two losses coming on the road against eventual state champion El Dorado and the Pats made the semifinals for just the third time in school history. The 2022 Pats penned their best conference start (3-0) since 1989, beating El Dorado for the first time and taking down key victories against West Memphis and at Searcy. Marion rose as high as No. 6 in the hootens.com and Arkansas Democrat-Gazette's weekly rankings during a 7-2 start, and the Pats had a chance to earn a share of the conference title in the regular-season finale at Little Rock Catholic before the Rockets prevailed. Now, Clark looks forward to 2023 with likely the most experienced offense in school history (nine returning starters) and a star-studded group of linebackers and defensive backs. “We have the right mix of guys who have played a lot of football for us and have been through those battles,” said Clark. “We have guys who have been through an off-season now, they've started games so they know how to prepare. Then we are just lucky enough to have some flat-out talented players who can be difference-makers, so it's a really exciting time.” Following its bye week on September 1, Marion jumps right into league play for the second season in a row when it returns to the site of the 2021 semifinals as the Pats look to win for the first time at El Dorado. The Pats remain on the road on September 15 when it travels to Jacksonville before returning home on September 22 to celebrate homecoming and a visit from Greene County Tech. Marion plays at Benton for the first time since toppling the top-ranked Panthers in the 2021 quarterfinals on September 29 before the Pats welcome Searcy on October 6. The 2023 edition of the hometown showdown will be played on October 13 at West Memphis before the Pats play Sheridan at home for the first time since 2020. The Pats wind down the regular year by traveling on October 27 to Sylvan Hills and host LR Catholic on November 3 for Senior Night. Hooten's Arkansas Football ranks Marion No. 8 in the state in the 2023 edition and 6A East coaches tabbed the Pats to finish sixth in the 10-team conference. Marion has made the playoffs every season since 2004. “We feel a little discounted by the state on the whole, and we feel very confident in ourselves,” said Clark. “We have a great idea of what we do well, and what we may not do as well. For us, it's really important to be agile and light on our feet so that we aren't so wrapped up in what we'd like to do or what we'd like to be able to do that we get away from what makes this group special.” OFFENSE Marion's up-tempo offensive scheme seems like a good fit for senior quarterback Ashton Gray, who's started 11 games over the past two seasons. In 2022, his first year as a starter, Gray completed 57 percent of his passes for 1,324 yards and 15 touchdowns, while adding 147 yards rushing and a TD. His 51-yard scoring sprint against El Dorado doubled as the game-winner. The returning Team Captain “has a really good chance to have a special season,” said Clark. “He's worked and positioned himself to bring out all of his potential. I couldn't be more excited to watch him this year.” Sophomore Zayden Walker “has a huge future for us here,” said the coach. “He's big, strong and fast.” Walker handled most of the reps last year as the freshman team's QB. Sophomore Jaylon Foster develops at QB. Junior tailback Jalen Smith paced the 2021 junior high in total offense and touchdowns before bolting 42 yards for a varsity TD in the playoffs against Russellville, setting the stage for the most productive season by a sophomore tailback in Marion football history. Smith bolted for more than 1,300 yards with 15 TDs, earning all-state honors by rushing for 100 yards or more nine times. The legend of Smith grew last September when he started at QB at Greene County Tech and sparked a 34-8 victory. “Jay is a very gifted football player,” said Clark. “As good as he is at running back, there's no reason he couldn't be a quarterback if he put in that time. He always wanted to be Tyreek Hill, and he's a good enough receiver to where he could do that, too. He's gotten stronger and he's set up to be big time.” Senior twin tailbacks Jamar and Jordan Foster have earned carries the previous two seasons and “they could each get four or five carries a week,” said the coach. “They are strong, fast, and tough. They both love to hit the hole.” Sophomore twins Kejeris and Kajeris Hill and classmate Jordan Foster fight for carries throughout the fall. “They say young pups will bite, and those guys will bite,” said Clark. “They're what you're looking for as far as a young guy. They aren't afraid of a thing.” Sophomore Brian Benford profiles at tailback or receiver Junior Mitrell Lewis started every game last fall as outside receiver, and he finished second in most significant receiving categories, including receptions (21), receiving yardage (288), and receiving TDs (four). Lewis appeared in most of the games in the winter for the 27-8 5A East conference champion basketball team and he produced a good summer. Senior Johnathan Guyton spent his first two varsity seasons on defense but opened the eyes of coaches over the off-season when he shifted to receiver. Guyton paced the Pats in catches and receiving yardage in the benefit game against Maumelle. Junior Cameron Garrett started every game last year at tight end, and he'll bump more to receiver this year. “Cam has more in his bag than he showed last year,” said Clark. “We can create mismatches with him.” Garrett showed his big-play ability in the scrimmage game when he lined up as outside receiver and caught an 80-yard TD pass. Junior Christian Young averaged more than 10 yards per reception last year when he started two games. Young caught a TD pass against Jacksonville. Sophomore Solomon Flores paced last year's junior high team in receiving yardage and receiving TDs, and he spent a lot of time with the starters during fall camp. Flores, who started several games in the spring for the baseball team, caught a TD pass in the scrimmage against Maumelle. Jeremy Dent made plays in the spring. Marion returns the most experienced offensive line in school history this fall with the seven guys who played the most snaps a season ago all returning for 2023. All-conference performers Carter Benton and Aqeelo Allen project at left guard and right tackle, respectively. Benton, a three-year starter, has played every spot up front and could deep snap some this year. Allen started Marion's last 10 games last season after moving from Earle and “often dominated,” said the coach. “He loves to run block, and it shows.” Arkansas-Pine Bluff offered Allen a scholarship in the off-season, with many other schools still evaluating him. Senior Jermaine Davis started every game but one last year at right guard and “it's something else to watch he and Qeelo combo block,” said Clark. Davis emerged during the off-season as a team leader. Junior left tackle Carius Curne is already the biggest recruit in Marion football history after earning more than 10 D1 offers during the off-season, including SEC offers from two-time defending national champion Georgia, Arkansas, Mississippi, Mississippi State, and Missouri. “Carius has come a long, long way in a year's time,” said the coach. “He really loves football and he's a ton of fun to be around. He's now playing like a Power 5 guy consistently. The sky is the limit for him.” Junior Charlie Cantrell started every game a season ago up front, including the last nine at center. Cantrell “plays bigger than he is,” said Clark. “He doesn't know or he doesn't care that he's not the biggest dude out there. He'll scrap with anybody, and that's one of the highest compliments I can give. Nothing scares him.” Seniors Alan Miller and Austin Watson each started multiple games up front last season and Miller led the team in pancake blocks. Junior soccer player Marselo Amaya impressed coaches by kicking off and kicking extra points and short field goals during the off-season. DEFENSE Senior Cam Brown and juniors Myles Dukes and Elijah Doss handled many of the first-team reps on the defensive line during the summer. Brown appeared in eight games in 2022, making 19 tackles and he's “shown flashes now for two years,” said Clark. “He plays with great energy. He's a guy who's hard to deal with, and that's a positive for us.” Doss rotated often last year on the defensive line and “had a great month of August this year,” said the coach. “He's been a steady presence.” Dukes showed pass-rush moves during fall camp. Look for Allen, Curne, Davis, Watson, and Miller to flip and play snaps on defense because “they can do all do it and do it well,” said Clark. “We have to do this by committee to get where we need to go, and those guys are really talented.” Sophomores Ryan Blackwell, Jaylon Crawford, and Marterion Bazemore “have a huge upside for us,” said the coach. “They can help us this year at some point.” Linebacker is likely Marion's most experienced group aside from the offensive line with at least three seniors projected as starters with two more listed on the two deep. Senior Victor Turner ranked second last year on the Marion tackle chart with 77 stops and he seems like a good fit at the team's Star 'backer (hybrid defensive back/linebacker) vacated by four-year starter Carter Waldo. Senior Dewayne Williams, who also plays baseball, returns as outside linebacker, where he logged 66 tackles in 2022 with a crucial interception against El Dorado. Senior inside linebacker Javen Griffin started four games last fall when he made 32 tackles after transferring from Wynne. Griffin was installed as a Team Captain during the off-season. “With those three guys, we know we have high-character, hard-working kids at important spots,” said Clark. “They're all big, strong, fast, love to hit, love the game.” Senior Jermiah Miller joined the team during the off-season from basketball and learned the schemes quickly. Senior DeAngelo Foreman tackles well at linebacker. Junior Carter Moore played extensive reps last season in the team's heavy scheme and near the goal line. Sophomore Chris Byrd develops at linebacker and star 'backer. Senior three-year starting safeties Martaveon Banks and Kendal Brister highlight a Marion secondary that has experience and ability all over. Banks earned all-conference honors last season when he racked up 61 tackles, intercepted two passes, and became the team's punter in September. Banks was named a Team Captain during the off-season. Brister logged 31 tackles last fall and produced a productive off-season. Senior cornerback Amari Lee burst onto the scene as a sophomore, locking a starting spot in October 2021 before injuries cost him his junior season. Junior Kendrick Cauley recorded 19 tackles last season in four starts at a corner. Junior cornerback Taheim Frost surged in the spring after he moved from Wynne. Look for sophomores Kejaris and Kajeris Hill, R.L. Johnson, and Rukeim Bohanon in the secondary and on special teams.