Theme Nights

Gameday excitement returns this fall to Premier Bank Stadium, home of the Marion Patriots.

When the Pats play at home in 2022, fans will be treated to food trucks, attractions for students and younger kids, as well as an exciting product on the field.

“A high school football game is not just about high school football,” said Marion head football coach Lance Clark. “Everything we do is in relation to the community, especially in a one-school town. The more open we can be to the community, the better.”

The district is also reminding fans of its guidelines for attendees of athletic events. Those guidelines can be found here.

When defending Class 6A state champion El Dorado invades Premier Bank Stadium on September 9, the Marion football program will celebrate Youth Night, meaning that Marion football players of any age will be admitted to the game for free if they wear their jersey. Additionally, the younger players will be able to go onto the turf during warmups, and walk out to the field prior to the game.

“It'll be really cool because they'll get to see our kids interact and what they have to look forward to,” explained Clark. “They'll be on the field with us, they'll be under the lights, they'll get to see and hear the fireworks. That'll be a lot of fun for them.”

The Marion School District celebrates Homecoming on September 16 when conference play continues against Jacksonville. Homecoming week calls for themes all week at school, including Minion Day on Monday, Liar Liar Day on Tuesday, All In This Together on Wednesday, Parent Trap on Thursday, and Patriots in Hollywood on Friday. Patriots in Hollywood asks seniors to wear red, juniors to wear white, and sophomores to wear blue. The presentation of the court will be Friday at approximately 6:30 p.m.

Benton comes to town on September 30, and in addition to being a big game with playoff implications, Marion celebrates Junior Pats night for football players in grades 7, 8, and 9. Junior Pats Night will resemble an official college visit for the first 20 players to sign up, while every player in that age group will be invited to be with the team during pregame festivities and be on the sideline during the game.

The first 20 players to sign up “get to do a photo shoot in official Patriot gear,” said Clark. “I think that's a really cool one because the kids that age know me by now, but it gives them a little extra something to look forward to as they get closer to the high school team.”

Marion entertains Crittenden County rival West Memphis on October 14, when the Fred Leonard State Farm Hometown Showdown returns to Premier Bank Stadium for the first time since 2018. The Hometown Showdown features pregame tailgating and other events for the community. Stay tuned for more information on the Hometown Showdown in the coming weeks.

The Pats celebrate Senior Night on October 28 with Sylvan Hills in town. Fourteen senior Marion football players will be honored before kickoff against Sylvan Hills.

The Marion School District is an innovative and growing district committed to helping every student find their unique path to success in school and in life. With more than 150 years of experience serving families in Crittenden County, the district offers a high school, a junior high, and three award-winning magnet schools. For enrollment information, including information on school choice, visit https://www.msd3.org/ or call 870-739-5100.