Aug . 29 – at Wynne Sept . 6-at Harding Academy Sept . 13- at Conway Sept . 27 – Sylvan Hills Oct . 4 – at El Dorado Oct . 11 – West Memphis Oct . 18 – at Jonesboro Oct . 25 – Sheridan Nov . 1 – at Catholic Nov . 8 – Benton
The Marion Patriots once again have a roster loaded with talent , and Coach Lance Clark thinks his squad is deeper than it has ever been . The Patriots finished last season 8-3 after a heartbreaking one point loss in the second week of the playoffs . This year , Clark and company have their sights set on a conference title and a deep playoff run . With a long list of key returners , those expectations could become reality . Offensively , senior Jalen Smith returns at running back . The two time All-State and three year starter rushed for 1582 yards and 18 touchdowns last season . Senior Mitrell Lewis also returns at wide receiver after hauling in six touchdowns last year , while fellow senior receiver Christian Young is back as well . Classmate Cameron Garrett will start at tight end for the third year in a row after grabbing four touchdowns a year ago . One of the state ’ s top recruits , senior left tackle and defensive tackle Carius Cane returns up front after an All-State campaign . Senior center Charlie Cantrell will line up next to Cane as he has for the last two years . There are plenty of defensive returners , as well , in Marion ’ s multiple look system . Juniors Ryan Blackwell and Makhi Guyton will return up front on the defensive line . Blackwell recorded 23 tackles , a sack , and an interception at defensive end , while Guyton had 13 tackles and a sack at nose guard . The secondary is especially strong featuring seniors Taheem Frost and Kendrick Cauley and juniors Kejeris and Kajeris Hill . Cauley missed last season with an injury but started as a sophomore and is a high-level recruit . Frost recorded 26 tackles and two interceptions , while the Hill twins had 20 tackles each . On special teams , senior Nicholas Bledsoe will step in the kicking role , while the punting duties will be handled by sophomore Max Molloy . Linebacker Carter Moore will be the long snapper for both units . Coach Clark knows what is ahead for his team . “ The conference ( 6A East ) has gotten incredibly tough week in and week out and our non-conference is very challenging ,” he said . “ We are deeper than we have ever been in my time at Marion , but we will need to develop consistency and continuity with our offensive line and QB play .” NEA Sports predicts the Marion Patriots will contend for the 6A East crown and could play into the holidays in the playoffs .
Aug . 29 – Walnut Ridge Sept . 13 – at Rivercrest Sept . 20 – at Manila Sept . 27 - at Izard Co Oct 4 – McCrory oct . 11 – Cross County Oct . 18 – at Earle Oct . 25 – Marianna Lee Nov . 1 – at Des Arc Nov . 7- at Marked Tree
The EPC Warriors made it all the way to the state championship game last year coming up just shy of a title . Sadly , the Warriors lose several significant pieces from last season ’ s group . Gone is Dennis Gaines who set records in rushing as he heads to play at the collegiate level . Stud tight end Tyler Moore was lost to graduation along with wide receiver / defensive back Omar McCuiston and quarterback Cooper Argo . That ’ s a ton of key pieces to try to replace . With that being said , the Warriors do have talent returning to the team . Tyrus Reel will slide over from the slot to take over the role as the teams QB1 . Reel has great speed and will be asked the run the football quite a bit . “ We are going to let him be an athlete back there ,” said Warrior Coach Brandon Powell . Jacob Gaines inherits his brothers ’ old position as he will be expected to carry a bulk of the workload garnering multiple carries per game . Big Doug Reel will anchor the offensive line . Reel plays on both sides of the football and also serves as the team ’ s kicker .
Doug has elusive speed for a big man . Several sophomores earned time last year on the line and will be expected to help out . Dee Buchanan is a great playmaker that returns . Buchanan was hampered by some injuries a season ago but will serve at halfback / wingback . Buchanan has gotten bigger and could prove to be a big time factor for Coach Powell . Additionally , Dee will serve as the team ’ s top linebacker . He is dubbed as the team ’ s “ next best playmaker ” next to Gaines . Quincey Perry will play the X position , and Tristan Lard will slide over into the slot . There ’ s some inexperience in the secondary minus Devin McGee who will return to hold down the fort at corner . East Poinsett County has got to figure out who they are early in the season before conference play hits . They have two tough matchups early against Walnut Ridge and Rivercrest . Those games might get lopsided but don ’ t let that fool you . The Warriors will still finish at the top of the conference . And , as well all know , all bets are off when Marked Tree and EPC lock up in week 10 .
The Riverside Rebels are gearing up for another exciting season of tennis . Coach Terry Conner and his award winning bunch return a lot of key players from last year ’ s group that brought home all kinds of accolades . On the girl ’ s side the returning players are Brooklyn Berry , Malorie Booth , Kaylee Cox , Bennett Durham , Lela Poe , Blakely Biggers , Madison Hood , and Henleigh McAnally . “ Brooklyn and Malorie are very good with their reaction time and court movement ,” said Coach Conner . “ Kaylee plays with accuracy and power . Lela excels in an all-around court game . Bennett has a very good net defense game and speed around the court . Blakely , Madison , and Henleigh have improved their service game and groundstrokes .” The boys return a surplus of talent as well . The returning players for the boys include : Thatcher Durham , Cash Gillis , Bryce Smith , Brayeson Timms , Zain McClure , Maddox Stone , Tucker Emery , and Kade Laird . “ Thatcher brings an impressive serve and powerful shots to the game . Cash continues to impress at the net and has a developed a dominating serve . Bryce ' s strengths include strong groundstrokes and accuracy . Brayeson ' s speed and agility makes him a dangerous player . Maddox and Tucker have greatly improved on their court speed and power . Kade has increased the speed of his shots and does well on the forehand side .” The Rebels also have some new faces on the boys ’ and girls ’ side of things . Our new female players are Avery Moore , Scout Priest , Arden Vaughn , Bella Richardson , and Emmie Sanders . “ Avery has previous experience and is a good all-around player . Scout has a strong forehand and developing backhand . Arden is very athletic and has adapted well to the tennis courts . She is a very instinctive net player . Bella and Emmie do well with the back court and defensive play .” On the boys side , Landon Berry and Carter Rea are our new additions . Both are learning the game and are quickly developing into competitive players . “ We should be very competitive this year . New conference formations from the AAA have added Corning , Piggott , and Tuckerman to our division . As always , we hope to do well at the district tournament and advance to state . Malorie and Brooklyn will continue to be a strong contender for a state title . Bennett , Kaylee , Avery , Lela , and Blakely should play a key part at the district tournament as well . Thatcher is one of the strongest players in our conference and should do well . Cash and Bryce will combine to provide us points at the tournament as well . Brayeson , Maddox , Zain , and Tucker have tournament experience that will help throughout the season and at tournament time . We are looking forward to a successful season and even better post season .”