The Marion Patriots likely need to win out to make the playoffs, and that challenge begins this week at Searcy.
Searcy opened the season No. 2 in the Class 6A rankings and rose as high as No. 1 for four weeks prior to a dramatic 48-45 loss two weeks ago at Sheridan.
Preseason No. 1 Benton popped the Lions last week, leaving Searcy needing to potentially win out to earn a first-round playoff bye.
Junior all-state quarterback Jacob Miles has completed 126 of his 198 passes (64 percent) this fall for 2,156 yards and 26 touchdowns with just eight interceptions.
Senior tailback DeAndre Shockley leads the Lions with 651 rushing yards on 105 carries with 11 TDs, while Miles is next up with 310 yards on the ground and three scores.
Three Lion receivers have caught 34 passes or more this fall, led by senior Will Manning, who’s caught 41 passes for 589 yards and eight touchdowns, while Jackson Smith has snagged 38 passes for 986 yards and 15 TDs, and Bryson Thompson has captured 34 passes for 384 yards and two TDs.
Searcy (6-2 overall, 3-2 6A East) surrenders 27 points per game in 2026, with Kayden Hickman, Will Gaines, Carson Campbell, and Carter Blanchard as the leading tacklers.
Marion counters with senior quarterback Ben Bateman, who’s completed 61 percent of his passes this fall for 976 yards and nine touchdowns with four interceptions.
Senior Kam Riley paces the Pats in rushing (68 carries for 407 yards with five touchdowns) and receiving (24 receptions for 351 yards and two TDs).
Chase Davis has caught 13 passes for 170 yards and a TD, while Drace McGee has caught 10 passes for 81 yards and two scores.
Patriot linebacker Stephon Nesbitt leads Marion with 40 tackles, while Colton Kimbel has racked up 37 stops, Kole Clay has 31, and Gary Wilson has recorded 22.
Kickoff at Searcy is scheduled for 7 p.m., and if you can’t attend the game in person, you can watch for free on the Marion Patriots Activities Network.