When asked what the strength of his 2023 football team might be, third-year Marion head coach Lance Clark didn't hesitate to give an answer. “Our strength this year will be in numbers,” said Clark in August. “We have graduated some great football players the past couple of years, and some real household names, but we think we are on the cusp now of having quality depth, at least two guys, at every spot. That's going to be absolutely crucial for us.” As the calendar shifts toward fall, Clark's prophecy has taken full effect. Marion has built its 3-0 regular-season record so far this year on the back of those numbers, and last Friday night's 48-13 conquest at Jacksonville was no different. Clark and his staff were able to sub liberally at Titan Stadium after leading by as many as 42 points in the fourth period, leading to three quarterbacks seeing action, 10 skill players earning carries, and seven receivers catching passes. On defense, 25 Patriots recorded at least one tackle. “We were tickled about seeing so many guys get into action, and having so many guys produce,” said Clark on Wednesday morning. “I felt like we held the standard that we expect whenever we went to some younger guys. We are at our best when everyone is chipping in on both sides of the ball, and on special teams. From that perspective, Friday night was probably our best effort from top to bottom.” Most of Marion's seniors see action every Friday night, but it was the sophomores who had their coming-out party last Friday night. Sophomores Zayden Walker and Jaylon Foster combined to complete five of six passes for 40 yards, while Jeremy Dent, Brian Benford, Jr., and Kajeris Hill all earned carries. Solomon Flores, Damar Jackson, and Javon Tucker all caught passes at Jacksonville. Benford made his presence felt on special teams, as well, as the sophomore racked up a pair of tackles to earn the team's Patriot of the Week award. “We have a really deep group right now, and honestly we need to start showing that a little more as coaches,” said Clark. “We all get locked in on that first group because it's just a little bit cleaner a lot of times, but these guys have shown they're able to produce when their number has been called, and I have to continue to let them grow and learn.” Marion's deep, talented roster returns home for the first time since August 25 this Friday night when the Patriots resume one of the older rivalries in school history when Greene County Tech visits Southern Bancorp Stadium for homecoming. Greene County Tech and Marion played annually from 1991 until 2005 when each was conference rivals, and the series has seen its fair share of memorable ballgames. The Patriots earned a playoff berth and sent out Brunetti Field as a winner on November 6, 1992, that year's season finale by topping the Golden Eagles 12-10 when Marion scored the winning touchdown in the final seconds. The rest of the 1990s were forgettable for both schools. Marion topped Tech in the 1995 season finale to avoid the first winless season in school history, but neither school made the playoffs again until following Y2K. Marion's all-time winningest football coach, Mark Uhiren, won his first game at the school 14-13 in the 2002 conference opener, and Uhiren finished 6-0 in his Marion tenure against Tech. The most memorable of Uhiren's six victories over the Golden Eagles was an 82-51 conquest in Paragould in 2011 when Marion rushed for 713 yards. Senior running back Tre Franklin spearheaded the highest-scoring game in Marion football history by rushing for 263 yards and six touchdowns. That was the final meeting of the schools until last September when Marion won 34-8 at Eagle Stadium. This year's Eagles enter play 1-2 overall following back-to-back losses at Little Rock Catholic and to El Dorado. Despite the record, Tech has “maybe the best interior offensive line we'll see all year,” said Clark. “They're big and strong in there. No. 78 (Parker Brown) is very likely the best lineman in our conference and one of the top guys in the state. They will create issues for us in there with their sheer size and continuity” The Eagle defense primarily lines up in an even front with two or four down linemen, and senior linebacker Brooks Reddick and safety Tyson Cartwright are the playmakers on that unit. HOW TO WATCH Friday night's game with Greene County Tech will be broadcast live on MarionPatriots.com and on the Marion Patriots Activities Network YouTube channel. HOMECOMING Marion will honor its homecoming court at 6:30 p.m., Friday evening prior to kickoff. The Marion Patriots Activities Network broadcast will show the homecoming festivities, followed by the entire football game. HCGC TO LEAD THE PLEDGE Herbert Carter Global Community magnet school's Lighthouse team will lead the signing of the Pledge of Allegiance prior to Friday night's game. PLAYERS OF THE WEEK Senior tailback Jamar Foster earned the Crittenden County Farm Bureau Player of the Week honors for his performance at Jacksonville. Brian Benford, Jr. earned the team's Patriot of the Week award, while senior Jermaine Davis earned the team's Offensive Lineman of the Week. Foster, Benford, and Davis will walk out with Marion's permanent senior Team Captains Ashton Gray, Martaveon Banks, and Javen Griffin for the coin flip this week. ROAD WARRIORS Marion improved to 7-3 under Lance Clark in 6A East road games with last week's 48-13 victory at Jacksonville. The Patriots are 9-5 in all road games under Clark. CLARK CLIMBS THE CHARTS Marion's victory a week ago at Jacksonville was Clark's 18th at Marion, which ties him with his predecessor Keith Houston for fourth on the school's all-time wins chart. James Hendricks won 21 times in his six seasons at the school, while Bill Cook earned 56 wins in his tenure, while Mark Uhiren earned 64 victories. WEEK 4 6A EAST STANDINGS Marion 2-0 Searcy 2-0 Benton 2-0 W. Memphis 2-0 El Dorado 1-1 LR Catholic 1-1 Greene Co. Tech 0-2 Jacksonville 0-2 Sheridan 0-2 Sylvan Hills 0-2 6A EAST GAMES ON FRIDAY NIGHT Greene Co. Tech at Marion Benton at El Dorado Searcy at LR Catholic Jacksonville at Sheridan W. Memphis at Sylvan Hills