Marion Athletics -

What are the odds that Marion football could celebrate Senior Night and clinch a spot in the state playoffs on Halloween night?

It doesn't get much spookier than that.

Marion (5-3 overall, 3-2 6A East) will honor 33 senior football members at 6:30 p.m. Friday night when the Patriots host Little Rock Catholic, with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m.

You can watch the Senior Night festivities and the Little Rock Catholic game for free on the Marion Patriots Activities Network YouTube channel.

Marion's seniors will likely always hold a special place in fifth-year coach Lance Clark's heart.
“This is a fun group, they like to joke, but mostly they love ball,” said Clark. “As a coach, you really appreciate the ones who love ball, they work at it, take it seriously, and want to be great, and for the most part, they have been great. They've had a huge impact on our football program in their time here.”

Marion's seniors were in eighth grade when Clark arrived in Marion in time for the 2021 season, and in their time on the varsity, the Patriots have won 20 games over the past three years, with at least two games left in the 2025 regular season.

“I just remember those same kids would be playing football in the end zone while the high school kids practiced,” said Clark. “That's not the case as much these days, but this group couldn't get enough. It was football all the time. It was kind of incredible.”

Marion's first football game on October 31 since 2014 also carries major ramifications on the field as the Patriots can clinch their 21^st consecutive playoff appearance with a victory over the Rockets.

The Patriots are currently involved in a three-way tie for third place in the 6A East, but since Marion's two league losses are to the other two teams in that group, MHS would fall to the back if all three are tied at the end of the year.

Marion could still finish as high as the No. 1 playoff seed in this year's playoffs, and the Pats could still miss the cut altogether if they lose out.

“It's the craziest I've ever seen this league,” said Clark. “We knew it would be much more competitive this year, we just didn't know how much so. But anyone can win on any given week this year. It's fun, but it complicates things if you lose a game or two.”

Marion last missed the state playoffs in 2004 when the Patriots finished tied for fourth, but a Homecoming loss to Paragould gave the Rams the final playoff berth from the 4A East, and it gave Marion an early exit.

Since then, Marion has qualified for the playoffs every year.

“It is still our first goal every year to make the playoffs,” said Clark. “It can't be our only goal, but if you're in it, you have a chance to win it.”

Little Rock Catholic (2-6 overall, 1-4) has averaged more than seven victories per season since dropping down to Class 6A in time for the 2022 football season, and while the Rockets are off to a sluggish start in the first eight games of this season, Clark sees it differently.

“You can say they've only won once in conference play, but if two plays don't go our way at Sylvan Hills and at West Memphis, we are in the same boat,” said the coach. “Football is like that. When we watch them on tape, they look really good. Their defense is still really sound, with wide defensive ends. They stuff the run. Their quarterback can really run the ball, and they can still throw and catch it. This is not a two- or three-win team or whatever it is. They're still really good, and they expect to win.”

Little Rock Catholic has won all three previous meetings with Marion, starting with a 52-29 victory in Week 10 of 2022. The Rockets rallied in the fourth quarter for a 38-34 victory at Marion in 2023, and Little Rock Catholic scored the final 13 points in a 23-14 conquest last season at War Memorial Stadium.

HOW TO WATCH
Tune in to the MPAN YouTube channel at 6:30 on Friday night to watch the Senior Night festivities, followed by the Marion-Little Rock Catholic football game.

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
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