Little Rock Catholic tops Patriots in key 6A East clash

By CHUCK LIVINGSTON

Marion School District

LITTLE ROCK — Marion was halfway home here on Friday night.

The Patriots led Little Rock Catholic 7-3 at halftime at War Memorial Stadium in a game that most knew would feature limited possessions with two of the state’s top defenses battling on the field.

Unfortunately, the Rockets made more plays in the second half, scoring three touchdowns after halftime, including the game’s final 13 points, to pull away to a 23-14 victory over visiting Marion.

The Catholic conquest pulled the Patriots and Rockets into a tie in the 6A East standings entering Week 10 as each club is now 5-1 in league action, but with the Rockets earning the head-tohead tiebreaker. The upside for Marion is that the Patriots can still earn a share of the conference title and the No. 1 playoff seed by knocking off No. 2 Benton this week at Southern Bancorp Stadium, while a loss would send the Pats to the No. 3 playoff seed.

Little Rock Catholic (8-1 overall, 5-1 6A East) outgained Marion (7-2, 5-1) 298-193 and won the turnover battle 2-1.

The Patriots struck first on a 46-yard touchdown toss from junior quarterback Zayden Walker to sophomore playmaker Jeremiah Dent and Marion led 7-0 after the first quarter.

Marion’s defense contained Catholic on the Rockets’ most prosperous drive of the first half, limiting the hosts to a 31-yard field goal as the Pats carried a 7-3 lead to the lockers.

LR Catholic marched down with the opening kickoff of the third quarter, hitting paydirt when QB Jackson England hit Paul Plafcan for a 16-yard TD toss that gave the Rockets a 10-7 lead midway through the third quarter.

The lead lasted 18 seconds as Marion senior tailback Jalen Smith fielded the ensuing kickoff at his own 7-yard line, eluded many tackles, and scored a dramatic 93yard touchdown on a kickoff return that pushed the Pats back in front 14-10.

But England hit Plafcan for a 48-yard TD toss late in the third period to take a 16-14 lead to the fourth quarter, and Catholic tailback Noel Lewis capped the scoring with a 3-yard TD run in the fourth.

What’s next?

Marion hosts Benton on Friday night, a contest that will be preceded by Senior Night. Senior Night festivities will begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by a 7 p.m. kickoff. You can watch Marion’s Senior Night festivities and the Benton football game for free on MarionPatriots.com, on the MPANYouTube channel, or on the MPAN mobile app.

Heavy lies the crown

Despite the loss last week at Catholic, Marion could still garner a share of the 6A East conference title and earn the No. 1 playoff seed with a victory over Benton on Friday night.

Marion has won just two conference titles in program history, sharing league crowns in 1984 and 2006.

Capital city struggles

Marion dropped to 0-8 inside historic War Memorial Stadium with Friday night’s loss, including three conference losses and three state playoff contests.

Walking wounded

Marion again played without a bevy of starters at Catholic, including leading receivers Mitrell Lewis and Christian Young, center Charlie Cantrell, right tackle David Patterson, right guard Jasean Burks, defensive end Tayshon Lowery, and defensive backs Kajeris Hill and Taheem Frost.

6A East results from 11/1

LR Catholic 23, Marion 14 Benton 49, W. Memphis 7 El Dorado 21, Jonesboro 14 Sheridan 65, Sylvan Hills 41

6A East standings on 11/4

Benton 6-0 Marion 5-1 LR Catholic 5-1 El Dorado 3-3 Jonesboro 2-4 Sheridan 2-4 W. Memphis 1-5 Sylvan Hills 0-6

6A East games on 11/8

Benton at Marion Sheridan at El Dorado Jonesboro at W. Memphis LR Catholic at Sylvan Hills

Marion receiver Corey Yates (81) turns upfield after a catch last week at Little Rock Catholic.

Photo by Eryn Edwards