Marion fourth-year coach Lance Clark shows his visitors the slides that he's working on inside his office. The production had the top five indicators that help football teams win a given game, ranging anywhere from “win the turnover margin,” to “opening drive touchdown.” The five stats are listed with the winning percentage of time that a team accomplishes that feat and all the numbers exceed 74 percent. “We have been really lucky to have good, hard-working kids here these last few years,” said Clark. “What we want to do now is hammer the details and improve our chances to win on the margins. None of these situations guarantee you a victory, but if you can achieve three or four of them, then your chances to win go way, way up.” It's safe to say that Clark's Patriots nailed the details in 2023. Marion won eight games on the field for the second time in three years, and by any measure, it was one of the five greatest seasons in the history of Patriot football. It was just the sixth eight-win season for Marion, and the Pats finished as conference runners-up for the first time since 2018. The Pats finished six victories a season ago under the sportsmanship rule, which is a school record. Marion vanquished three of its oldest rivals in 2023, opening the season with a dominant 20-point victory over Wynne. A 37-point thrashing of Greene County Tech on homecoming pushed the Pats to 4-0, and a third straight victory on the field over the favored West Memphis Blue Devils gave Marion inside position for the No. 2 playoff seed from the 6A East, and a coveted first-round postseason bye. Hosting a state quarterfinal game for the second time in four seasons, Marion welcomed 11-time state champion Pulaski Academy to Southern Bancorp Stadium for a dramatic contest that will go down in the annals as one of the more memorable games in either school's football history. In a game that featured four lead changes in the fourth quarter, Pulaski Academy came up with the last one, scoring the game-winning touchdown from 32 yards away on a pass into the end zone with no time left on the clock, allowing the Bruins a memorable 27-26 victory that doubled as heartbreak for the Pats. “Last year was probably the most fun I've had every day as a head coach here,” said Clark. “Our seniors were blue-collar kids, they were a joy to be around. They were good football players, and we'll miss them a lot. Last year was another big step forward for our program.” Marion earned a No. 5 preseason ranking in this summer's edition of Hooten's Arkansas Football, the school's highest preseason mark since starting the 2010 season ranked fifth in Class 6A. The Pats open their 2024 campaign with their annual benefit scrimmage on Friday, August 23 at Class 5A power Valley View, and Marion extends one of the longest-running rivalries in the state on Friday, August 30 when the Pats travel to play Wynne. Marion hosts defending Class 4A state champion Harding Academy inside Southern Bancorp Stadium on Friday, September 6, and the Pats conclude their non-conference schedule with their first game at Conway on September 13. Following the team's bye week on September 20, Marion opens league action and celebrates homecoming when Sylvan Hills visits on September 27, and Marion travels to El Dorado on October 4. The 2024 edition of the Fred Leonard State Farm Hometown Showdown with the West Memphis Blue Devils is scheduled for October 11 inside Southern Bancorp Stadium, and Marion renews its conference rivalry with Jonesboro on October 18. Sheridan visits Marion for the second year in a row on October 25, and Marion plays at Little Rock Catholic inside War Memorial Stadium on November 1. The 6A East conference title could be on the line on November 8 when Benton visits Marion for Senior Night. Every Marion football game will be broadcast for free on MarionPatriots.com, on the Marion Patriots Activities Network YouTube channel, and on the MPAN mobile app. Now it's up to the 2024 team to pick up where the 2023 squad left off. A bevy of starters return for the Pats to aid their ascent up the 6A East ladder. “We like the mix of kids that we have on this football team,” said Clark. “We trust the work ethic and the ability of our guys.” Junior quarterback Zayden Walker broke out a season ago when he started every game under center for the 4-2 junior varsity team and “he's had a tremendous off-season,” said Clark. “He keeps growing, and his arm strength keeps improving. We know Zayden can run the offense, take care of the ball, and keep us on track. We are excited to see him this year.” Sophomore Max Molloy, an all-conference baseball player in the spring, competed with Walker for the starting QB job into August, and “he only showed up and worked hard,” said Clark. “He's spent a lot of time this spring perfecting his skills. He will have a role on this team.” Molloy could also kick and punt. Two-time senior all-state tailback Jalen Smith is less than 1,000 yards away from breaking the school's all-time rushing record, held by 2017 graduate Tom Young. Smith, who rushed last fall for 1,582 yards and 17 touchdowns, “had his best off-season by leaps and bounds,” said Clark. “He's gained muscle, gotten faster, he's catching it better. He's better across the board than he's been, and he's been really, really excellent. I think he's the best 'back in 6A.” Junior Rico Ward moved into the district over the winter and made an immediate impression on coaches with his ability. Sophomore Jeremiah Dent paced the 8-1 conference champion freshman team a season ago in total offense and TDs. “Rico and J.D. are going to be out there,” said Clark. “They'll get carries. We like throwing it to them. We'll have them returning kicks. They're special with the ball in their hands.” The top three receivers of a season ago combined to catch 54 passes for 1,131 yards and 12 TDs return for 2024. Seniors Cam Garrett (19 receptions last fall for 467 yards and four TDs), Mitrell Lewis (19 catches for 353 yards and six TDs) and Christian Young (16 receptions for 311 yards and two scores) offer different skill sets. Garrett played mostly a traditional tight end in the previous two seasons, and he could line up more as a receiver this season. Lewis may have produced the team's best off-season, and he earned a scholarship offer in July from Central Arkansas. Young averaged almost 20 yards per reception last year, playing mostly in the slot. “Our receiving corps has had a ton of snaps,” said Clark. “Those guys are as experienced and good as we've had in a long time. We are excited to see them because they can go get it.” Junior Jeremy Dent started a handful of games last season and produced a stellar off-season, while sophomore Kam Riley stood out for the freshman team. Seniors Dewlawrence Davis and Corey Yates rotate at receiver. A pair of three-year starters, center Charlie Cantrell and left tackle Carius Curne, lead Marion's 2024 offensive line. Curne, the top football recruit in Marion history, earned all-state honors a season ago, and he committed in June to Louisiana State, picking the Tigers over more than 20 other Power 5 offers. Cantrell earned a scholarship offer in July from Lyon College, while many other schools continue to evaluate him. “We know those two guys, we trust those two guys,” said Clark. “I can't tell you how nice it is to have three-year starters in the offensive line.” A host of Patriots continue to compete for the other three offensive line positions, led by seniors David Patterson, Michael Watson, Myles Dukes, Bradley Tolleson, and Cole Barham, juniors Jasean Burks, Philip Walker, and Gavin Latham and sophomores Jarrett Selvy and Walter Tucker, Jr. “We'd feel good about any of them playing,” said Clark. “They're all talented and work hard. We just have to find the right combination.” Seniors Marselo Amaya and Nick Bledsoe could split kicking duties this fall. Amaya, also a standout soccer player, routinely connected last year on extra points and showed improved leg strength in the spring. Bledsoe started kicking last year and reliably made field goals from 30 yards and closer during summer camp. Junior defensive end Ryan Blackwell exploded onto the scene last year, starting every game for a defensive unit that surrendered less than 23 points per game. Blackwell stacked 23 tackles as a sophomore, including four behind the line of scrimmage. Seniors Marterion Bazemore and Jaylon Crawford compete for the other starting end spot, and all will play on Friday nights. Seniors Elijah Doss and Taylin Rucker and junior Makhi Guyton impressed coaches in fall camp at tackle, where seniors Christopher Williams, juniors Devon Anthony, and sophomores Gary Wilson and Jalen Hunter rotate on the defensive line. Seniors Skyla White, Jr., and Antonio Reed help up front, while Curne will play crucial snaps. Marion's three most productive linebackers graduated in May, walking the stage after combining to make 228 tackles in 2023, yet “this could be the best linebacking crew I've had since I've been here,” said Clark. “We are deep at that position this year, and they can all get it.” Senior linebacker Emmanuel Key (16 tackles last fall) is “long, rangy, strong, and fast,” said Clark. Senior Carter Moore, who stacked 14 stops a season ago, could prove to be the team's most reliable tackler. Senior Jaron Davis (10 tackles last year) “had the best off-season he's ever had,” said the coach. Junior Zimran Phelix impressed last season at 'backer after shifting from the offense. Junior Zadean Wilson moved into the district in the spring and quickly learned the defense. Junior Chris Byrd “may be the most natural linebacker of all those linebackers,” said Clark. “He's an excellent mover and likes to hit.” Four of the five starters in the secondary of a season ago graduated in May, but senior Taheem Frost returns after logging 26 tackles last year and intercepting two passes. Junior twins Kajeris (pronounced kay-harris) and Kejaris (key-harris) Hill appeared in every game last year and continuously made plays during the off-season as the safeties. Senior cornerback Kendrick Cauley returned to the program last winter after not playing as a junior. Juniors Brian Benford, Jr., and R.L. Johnson produced huge off-seasons. Senior Rukeim Bohanon has experience in the secondary and could help on special teams. Sophomore Colton Kimbell covered well in the spring.