Marion first-year head coach Claude Johnson used one word more than any other in his postgame media availability on Friday night.
Resiliency.
And why not? After losing their first 5 games to open 2026, his team was due a break or two, and Marion found a couple in a 42-21 victory over Crittenden County rival West Memphis at Southern Bancorp Stadium.
"Man, these guys have been with me the whole time I've been here," said Johnson. "They've been so resilient all year long. When West Memphis made a play tonight, they just kept being resilient. It's easy to keep plugging when things are going well, but if something doesn't bounce your way, it's much harder, and I'm proud of our kids that they kept fighting."
Marion led 6-0 at halftime on a 31-yard Kam Riley touchdown run, but West Memphis took its first lead when a Blue Devil blocked a punt and junior Ashton Clark recovered and returned it about 20 yards for a score, and the extra point gave the visitors a 7-6 advantage with 5:15 left in the third period.
Marion's first brush with resiliency passed with flying colors when senior quarterback Ben Bateman hit classmate Jaylon Ford for an 80-yard touchdown pass on the Pats' first play from scrimmage following the score, and Brody Wasion's extra point gave the hosts a 13-7 lead.
West Memphis pushed back in front with 4:08 left in the third when quarterback Keaton Troxler connected with Darvell Gatewood for a 19-yard touchdown pass that gave the visitors the edge again, this time at 14-13.
Once again, on Marion's first play from scrimmage after the Blue Devils took the lead, Riley ran 44 yards to paydirt to give his team a 20-14 lead that doubled as the tally to open the fourth quarter.
Marion took possession after forcing a West Memphis turnover on downs with 11:18 left in regulation, and the Pats promptly went to work on the West Memphis defense and the game clock.
The Pats faced a fourth-and-two from their own 15-yard line with 9:39 left in the game, but rather than punt, Marion called Riley's number, and he picked up 8 yards to extend the drive.
"I'm the type of person who always wants to go for it, but definitely in those situations," said Johnson. "I know our offensive line, and I know Kam; we thought we could get 3 or 4 and keep it moving, and they did that."
Riley kept the drive moving again when he rushed for 31 yards into West Memphis territory with 6:12 left in the game, and Dadrien Love cashed it in with 4:42 left when he bolted 24 yards to paydirt to give Marion some breathing room at 28-14.
But then it was the Blue Devils' turn to be resilient, getting within 28-21 with 4:10 left in the game when Troxler found Micah Ingle for a 66-yard TD toss.
Facing a third-and-six with 3:24 left, Bateman hit Chase Davis on a quick slant, and Davis did the rest, outrunning West Memphis to the paint for a 71-yard touchdown that again gave Marion a 35-21 lead.
Bateman capped the scoring with a 1-yard QB sneak with 1:00 left on the clock.
"Our guys have been showing up every day ready to work, ready to win some games and play good football," said Johnson. "This was a good start tonight, but we have to keep working."
Marion's defense recorded a pair of sacks in the first half, and junior Kole Clay intercepted a pass to help the Pats bar the Blue Devils from the scoreboard before halftime.
"Our defense is finally getting comfortable and playing with some confidence," said Johnson. "We have put together some good drives and good quarters this year on defense; tonight we had a great half."
After a scoreless first period, Riley's touchdown run opened the scoring with 2:15 left in the first half.