Marion Athletics -

As the school year winds down, so too does spring camp for the Marion football team.

After succeeding Lance Clark in February as Marion's head football coach, Claude Johnson can see the team ascending all the time.

“We are coming off our best week of the spring so far,” said Johnson, a Pine Bluff native. “The first week was up and down, the second week was better, and now we have had our best week. The thing that I've liked the most is that our guys have great attitudes, their energy is high, they've been fun to watch.”

Johnson cut his teeth in the coaching ranks, learning from legendary Arkansas high school football coaches Scott Reed, Bobby Bolding, and Brad Bolding.

After stops at El Dorado and White Hall, Johnson served as Little Rock Parkview's offensive coordinator when the school won three straight Class 5A state titles from 2022 to 2024.

Marion has held six official spring practices during this session, with three more slated for next week, including the annual spring game on Friday, May 29.

“Guys are getting more comfortable, and it's starting to show,” said Johnson. “We were where I expected us to be early on, and maybe a little ahead of where I expected practice five or six. You couldn't have asked for a better week than the one we had this week.”

Marion graduated more than 30 football players last weekend, leaving a host of jobs available for returners to earn, particularly on defense, where only one starter returns.

“The energy these guys play with has been something to see,” said the coach. “They play with the right mentality, do things the right way. They like to be physical and mix it up.”

Offensively, Marion returns four starters, including all-conference tailback and Arkansas commit Jeremiah Dent, offensive linemen Jarrett Selvy and Walt Tucker, as well as Swiss Army Knife Kam Riley.

“On offense, we are a piece or two away from breaking out,” said the coach. “We knew some guys coming in that we liked; we are always looking for guys to help us with depth, but the guys who are here have bought in and come a long way.”

Marion's spring game will feature free admission for everyone and will focus more on situational football than a traditional exhibition with starters competing on offense and defense.

The event will kick off at 6 p.m., and if you can't attend the spring game, then you can watch it for free on the Marion Patriots Activities Network YouTube channel.

“I would expect to see our guys give you a lot of effort, showing you what they've worked on in the spring,” said Johnson. “It won't be without error, but we will put together a product that will let you know that we are working. We are doing the right things to build this program the right way, a way that shows you that we will have success in the fall."