Marion Athletics -

SHERIDAN --- Marion did not panic when it fell behind inside Yellowjacket Stadium in the first half.

The Patriots didn't panic when the Yellowjackets cut a second-half lead to three, and forced a turnover on Marion's ensuing possession.

Instead, Marion did what was needed to pick up a crucial road victory.

The Pats improved to 5-3 overall and 3-2 in the 6A East last Friday night in a wild 61-51 decision over Sheridan.

Marion can clinch its 21st consecutive playoff berth this Friday night with a victory over Little Rock Catholic (2-6, 1-4) on Senior Night at Southern Bancorp Stadium.

Marion scored 20 unanswered points bridging the second and third quarters to take control of a wild shootout in a 61-51 6A East win last night at Yellowjacket Stadium in Sheridan.

Marion improved to 6-0 all-time against Sheridan by forcing three turnovers in the second half, including a Zadean Wilson interception return for a touchdown that gave the Patriots a 54-43 lead with 4:21 left in the third quarter.

Sheridan fell to 3-5 overall and 2-3 in the 6A East with the loss after taking 3 leads of nine points or more in the first half, including a 31-20 lead after the first quarter.

The Yellowjackets drove 69 yards with the opening kickoff in 7 plays, scoring first when quarterback Easton Barksdale found Dylan Smith for a 59-yard touchdown, and Barksdale hit Hunter Socia for the two-point conversion, and Sheridan led 8-0.

Marion answered 4 plays later with a 14-yard TD run from Kam Riley, but a missed extra point froze Sheridan’s lead at 8-6.

Zay Stephens pushed the ‘Jackets ahead 16-6 with a 7-yard TD run, and when Barksdale added the two-point conversion.

The Patriots responded with a Rico Ward 4-yard TD run, and the extra point moved Marion within 16-13 with 6:45 left in the opening quarter.

Sheridan claimed a 24-13 lead when Stephens ripped off a 58-yard TD sprint and added the two-point conversion.

Jeremiah Dent recovered an onside kick and returned it 54 yards on the ensuing kick to get Marion within 24-20.

Sheridan got it back when Stephens went 46 yards to paydirt to stake the Yellowjackets to a 31-20 lead after a quarter.

The Pats got within 31-27 4 plays into the second stanza when Rico Ward scored from a yard out.
Marion took its first lead of the game when Wilson took a direct snap 2 yards to the end zone for a 34-31 lead with 8:32 left in the second.

Sheridan answered when Stephens covered the final 39 yards for a score and a 37-34 advantage.

The ‘jackets pushed ahead 43-34 with 5:26 left in the first half when Barksdale found Socia for a 59-yard score.

Marion got within 43-41 when Kajeris Hill took a direct snap a yard into the paint with 1:39 left in the first half.

Following a Sheridan turnover on downs, Marion cashed in on first down when Zayden Walker found Aamoni Wren for a 33-yard TD toss, and the Patriots led 48-43 at halftime.

Wilson gave Marion a double-digit lead with 5:21 left in the third quarter when he took his second interception of the third 43 yards to the house for a 54-43 lead that doubled as the score after three quarters.

Sheridan trimmed the lead to 54-51 when Barksdale hooked up with Smith for a 29-yard score with 6:38 left in regulation.

The “Jackets forced a Marion turnover on the next Patriot possession, taking over at the Sheridan 23, but Hill intercepted a Barksdale pass on second down, setting the stage for Walker to hit Wren for an 18-yard TD toss with 2:17 left in the game to clinch the final score.

WHAT'S NEXT?
Marion hosts Little Rock Catholic on Friday, October 31. Senior Night festivities will begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by kickoff at 7 p.m. You can watch Senior Night festivities and the football game for free on the MPAN YouTube channel.

6A EAST RESULTS FROM 10/24
Marion 61, Sheridan 51
Benton 63, LR Catholic 0
Sylvan Hills 49, Jonesboro 42
El Dorado 51, W. Memphis 7

6A EAST STANDINGS ON 10/27
SCHOOL CONF. RECORD
Sylvan Hills 4-1
Benton 4-1
Marion 3-2
Jonesboro 3-2
El Dorado 3-2
Sheridan 2-3
LR Catholic 1-4
W. Memphis 0-6
The top six teams make the playoffs.

6A EAST GAMES ON 10/31
LR Catholic at Marion
Jonesboro at El Dorado
Benton at W. Memphis
Sheridan at Sylvan Hills