High school football is different from the college game in many ways, but perhaps the biggest one is when teams play their more intense rivals.
In college, you can almost set your watch to an October or November date for your school's biggest game or two, played in the thick of fall with leaves on the ground and a bowl trip or even a conference title at stake.
Think Ohio State-Michigan, Alabama-Auburn, or Ole Miss-Mississippi State.
It's different in high school, as it's not uncommon for teams to launch their new campaign with a blood rival that you've played for decades on decades.
When Wynne invades Southern Bancorp Stadium on Friday night to play Marion, it's not just the official beginning of the 2025 season, but it's a continuation of Marion's longest-running and oldest football rivalry.
Marion and Wynne have played every season since 1969, and though Wynne leads the series 34-14-4, Marion has won three of the past four on the field.
“It's a really fun atmosphere and situation with Wynne,” said fifth-year Marion head football coach Lance Clark. “It's a historic program, one of the more historic ones in Arkansas. They always have great players; they've had so many great coaches. It's a game that really means a lot to each community. I think it means a lot to the Wynne people, and I know it means a lot to our people. That's what makes it a lot of fun.”
Kickoff of the Wynne non-conference contest is scheduled for 7 p.m., and if you can't make the game in person, then you can watch the broadcast for free on the Marion Patriots Activities Network YouTube channel.
Marion came up with a sharp performance last Friday night in its annual benefit scrimmage against Valley View. The Pats never trailed in the 28-14 victory, and all of the scoring came during the first half, when each team's varsity starters and key rotational players participated.
“I was very happy with a lot of things against Valley View,” said Clark. “I loved our energy and enthusiasm for the game of football. I loved a lot of the execution. I thought the guys we expect to perform well for us this year really did what we expect them to do. As far as things may be I wasn't as happy about. We let a few balls get over our heads in the secondary for big plays. On their red-zone chances, I thought the sideline got a little flat when we really needed to elevate the mood. Some of our eye discipline wasn't the best we've ever seen, but the good news is we can fix all of that.”
Wynne is in its third season under legendary Arkansas high school football coach Clay Totty, who gained notoriety during his 25-year run at Rison, where he guided the Wildcats to a 242-65-1 record with a pair of state titles, and a host of conference championships.
“They are what they always seem to be; they have guys who can really run, and more than one or two,” said Clark. “They're big and strong up front. They've gotten considerably stronger every year since Coach Totty been there, and this will be their strongest group so far. On defense, they're very sound, they run to the ball, and they tackle extremely well. We want to be an explosive offense, but it won't be an easy task against that group. We know emotions will be high, and it'll be a four-quarter game because they can move the ball and extend drives, and they disrupt your offense on the other side.”
Wynne dominated the Marion series when the two were league rivals from 1970-2005, as the Patriots only managed four victories in that span.
When Marion bumped up to Class 6A in time for the 2006 season, the teams continued the series as a non-conference installment, and it has been the season-opener for 18 of the past 19 seasons.
Marion rallied in the second half of the 2024 contest, winning 34-28 after an almost two-hour thunderstorm delay.
COLTON'S ROUNDUP
Tickets are on sale now at the Marion School District central office for the return of the annual Colton's Round-up. The event will be held from 5-7 p.m., and tickets cost $10 for a six-ounce steak, baked potato, roll, and a drink.
RANKINGS ROUNDUP
Marion claimed a No. 4 statewide ranking this week in every major media publication, including Hooten's Arkansas Football, ScoreBookLive.com, and the Arkansas Sports Network.
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette will release its weekly Super 6 rankings on Thursday morning.