Aug . 25 – Wynne Sept . 8- at El Dorado Sept . 15 - at Jacksonville Sept . 22 – GCT Sept . 29 – at Benton Oct . 6 – Searcy Oct . 13 – at West Memphis Oct . 20 – Sheridan Oct . 27 – at sylvan Hills Nov . 3 – LR Catholic
Excitement is high on the banks of the Mississippi . After a 7-4 finish and a trip to the 6A playoffs last season , the Marion Patriots return 10 starters on offense and 6 starters on defense . Coach Lance Clark is excited to get the season underway . “ It ’ s a really exciting time for us at Marion . We feel we have been knocking on the door the last couple of years , and we think this could be a year that our talent , our depth , and our belief all align ,” Coach Clark said . Senior quarterback Ashton Gray returns after a 1,400-yard season through the air with 15 touchdowns . Junior running back Jalen Smith returns after rushing for 1,200 yards on the ground earning All-State honors . Look for both of them to have plenty of opportunities to move the ball with all five offensive linemen returning led by Jermaine Davis . Joining Davis will be senior All-Conference selection Aqeelo Allen and junior Carius Curne who holds offers from Ole Miss , Mississippi State , and Arkansas State . Coach Clark feels the spread offense will go as the line goes with all the talent around them . On defense , senior Martaveon Banks returns after recording 65 tackles and two interceptions a season ago . Senior linebacker Victor Turner is back after having 77 tackles last year , along with fellow senior linebacker Dewayne Williams looks to add to his 66 tackles from a year ago . The 6A East poses different challenges as teams get one non-conference game then embark on a nine game conference schedule . It ’ s a challenge that Coach Clark and the Patriots understand and welcome with all the experience , talent , and depth they possess . NEA Sports predicts the Marion Patriots will be at the top of the East battling for a conference title , as well as being a major threat in the postseason .
The Newport Greyhounds have a rich tradition when it comes Friday nights in the fall , and after losing 21 seniors off of last year ’ s 9- 4 team that reached the state quarterfinals , Coach Brian Reardon is hoping to rely on that tradition to return to the postseason . The Greyhounds do have some key returners that will lead the way , starting with All-Conference junior Tyler Ridley up front on offense and defense . Ridley led the team with 9 sacks on the defensive line and 27 pancake blocks on the offensive line . Lucas Salinas and Malik Robinson also return to the offensive line and tight end position which makes it one of the more experienced units on the team . Demetric Denton is the best athlete on the team and will make the move to quarterback to give him as many opportunities as he can in the Newport shotgun wing T . With returners at O-line and some speed and talent around him , Denton hopes to make an immediate impact . Sophomore Aamonii Wren will start on offense as well for the Hounds . The defense is led by BJ Elston who led the team in tackles with an astounding 120 a year ago . Look for Elston to get some touches at running back as well . Also returning is Tonio Phillips in the secondary , while Ridley and Cruz Gomez will lead the defense up front . Jack Sampson will start at linebacker and will get some touches at half back . Wren could also see time in the secondary . With so much youth and inexperience , Newport hopes their four non-conference games will help them grow and learn before the 3A-2 conference slate begins . While youth and experience are a concern for Coach Reardon , he feels his young guys are talented and will once again battle for the top spot in the conference . NEA Sports predicts the Newport Greyhounds to be at or near the top of the 3A-2 and make another postseason appearance .
Aug . 25 – Osceola Sept . 1 – at Beebe Sept . 8 – Stuttgart Sept . 15 – at Trumann Sept . 22 – at Quitman Sept . 29 – Salem Oct . 6 – Atkins Oct . 20 – Melbourne Oct . 27 – at Y-ville Summit Nov . 3 – at Perryville
Wilson Funeral Homes
309 W . 2nd St . Marked Tree , AR 72365 870-358-3443
Ben Branch ( Sales ) 870-919-4662 Linc Carter ( Sales ) 870-919-0980
Lafonce Latham , Owner 3 Locations to Serve You
Osceola 870-563-2877 Tyronza 870-487-2428 Blytheville 870-763-2547