NEARsports.com - Marion Patriots

**2008 Schedule**
Date	H/A	Marion	163	Opponent	164	W/L	Record	Conf.
Sep. 5	A	Marion	15	Wynne	13	W	1-0
Sep. 12	A	Marion	14	Forrest City	6	W	2-0
Sep. 19	H	Marion	61	PB Dollarway	20	W	3-0
Sep. 26	A	Marion	42	Searcy	12	W	4-0	1-0
Oct. 3	A	Marion	6	West Memphis	43	L	4-1	1-1
Oct. 10	H	Marion	13	LR Parkview	21	L	4-2	1-2
Oct. 17	A	Marion	12	Mountain Home	49	L	4-3	1-3
Oct. 24	H	Marion		LR Hall
Oct. 31	A	Marion		Jonesboro
Nov. 7	H	Marion		Jacksonville

2007 Schedule

Date
H/A
Marion
198
Opponent
268

W/L
Record Conf

Aug.31
H
Marion
13
Wynne
6

W

1-0

Sep. 1
H
Marion
2
Rogers
35

L

1-1

Sep. 14
A
Marion
34
Little Rock Mills
12

W

2-1

Sep. 21
H
Marion
17
Searcy
14

W

3-1

1-0

Sep. 28
H
Marion
0
West Memphis
58

L

3-2

1-1

Oct. 5
A
Marion
28
Forrest City
42

L

3-3

1-2

Oct. 12
H
Marion
25
Mountain Home
18

W

4-3

2-2

Oct. 19
A
Marion
18
Sylvan Hills
28

L

4-4

2-3

Oct. 26
H
Marion
34
Jonesboro
0

W

5-4

3-3

Nov. 2
A
Marion
20
Jacksonville
18

W

6-4

4-3

Nov. 9
A
Marion
7
Lake Hamilton
37

L

6-5

**2007 Schedule**
Date	H/A	Marion	198	Opponent	268	W/L	Record	Conf
Aug.31	H	Marion	13	Wynne	6	W	1-0
Sep. 1	H	Marion	2	Rogers	35	L	1-1
Sep. 14	A	Marion	34	Little Rock Mills	12	W	2-1
Sep. 21	H	Marion	17	Searcy	14	W	3-1	1-0
Sep. 28	H	Marion	0	West Memphis	58	L	3-2	1-1
Oct. 5	A	Marion	28	Forrest City	42	L	3-3	1-2
Oct. 12	H	Marion	25	Mountain Home	18	W	4-3	2-2
Oct. 19	A	Marion	18	Sylvan Hills	28	L	4-4	2-3
Oct. 26	H	Marion	34	Jonesboro	0	W	5-4	3-3
Nov. 2	A	Marion	20	Jacksonville	18	W	6-4	4-3
Nov. 9	A	Marion	7	Lake Hamilton	37	L	6-5

2007 Archives

Marion QB/LB Bubba Cooper is still playing despite being charged with first degree battery
October 19, 2007

By David Wallace
Hootens.com

MARION - Marion (4-3, 2-2 in 6A East) quarterback/linebacker Bubba Cooper (5-11, 185) is still playing despite being charged with first degree battery for his part in what the West Memphis Evening Times called a "brutal attack" on a Crittenden County farmer Sept. 6. The senior was charged as an adult along with two other men and posted a $50,000 bond to secure his release.

Coach Mark Uhiren says Cooper's status with the team hasn't changed. "He's not caused us any trouble at all within the parameters of the football team. The rest of it is in the hands of the law," Uhiren says. "We're being advised of (the case) as it progresses. If something comes from it, we could take some action."

Cooper recovered a fumble in the Patriots' 28-18 win over Mountain Home week 7.

A Marion win over Sylvan Hills in week 8 would likely create a three-way log jam for second place in the conference among Forrest City, Sylvan Hills and Marion. Sylvan Hills surprised Forrest City last week, and Forrest City earlier beat Marion. Even with a three-way tie, the Patriots' chances of playing host to a playoff game are not very good. Their overall point total suffers when compared to the other two.

Marion gets kick out of Patton
September 26, 2007

By David Wallace
Hootens.com

MARION - Marion coach Mark Uhiren was sold on keeping a kicking specialist on the roster even before senior Jerry Patton (6-0, 160) drilled a 33-yard field goal with three seconds left to beat Searcy 17-14. But that kick solidified his feelings.

It was Patton's third game-winner in a little more than two years. He beat Greene County Tech with a late kick as a sophomore and hit one against Jonesboro with three seconds left last year. Patton kicks on his own and away from the rest of the team during practice and charts the field goals he hits from various distances and angles. The coaches use the charts to predict the probability of success in various game situations.

Patton, who also punts and kicks off, is the goalie on the Patriot soccer team. Uhiren says he's tried to use a soccer player as a kicking specialist since he was at Lonoke and discovered Michael Rembert by accident. He says he now goes through the halls asking, "Do you know anybody who plays soccer?"

Patton hit a 43-yard field goal in a JV game with Blytheville two weeks ago. "In those B games, when we cross the 50, we give him a shot," Uhiren says.

Uhiren says his leading rusher, junior running back Deoppolis Smith (5-7, 160), has been the biggest surprise of the season. Smith (4.6 speed) ran for 173 yards Week 3 in a win (9/14) and 154 at Searcy.

Patriot Stadium added about 1,700 seats before last season, but Uhiren expects that won't nearly accommodate the crowd Week 5 (9/29) for conference rival West Memphis, the No. 2 team in the Hootens.com 6A rankings. The coach says the game will draw close to 9,000.

Reprinted by permission.

Marion's offense finally scores
September 20, 2007

By David Wallace
Hootens.com

MARION - Marion's Deoppolis out-rushed Mills' Antonio in the battle of the Smiths in week 3. Junior RB Deoppolis Smith (5-7, 160) of Marion ran for 151 yards in the Patriots' 31-12 victory. Antonio Smith of Mills ran for 119 and left the game with an injury in the fourth quarter.

Marion had not scored an offensive touchdown in its first two games, when the Patriots beat Wynne and lost to Rogers. Marion eschewed the punt on a fourth-and-2 from its 21 in the second quarter. Patriots coach Mark Uhiren was quoted as saying he thought it was third down.

Reprinted by permission.

**2007 Archives**
Marion QB/LB Bubba Cooper is still playing despite being charged with first degree battery October 19, 2007 By David Wallace Hootens.com MARION - Marion (4-3, 2-2 in 6A East) quarterback/linebacker Bubba Cooper (5-11, 185) is still playing despite being charged with first degree battery for his part in what the West Memphis Evening Times called a "brutal attack" on a Crittenden County farmer Sept. 6. The senior was charged as an adult along with two other men and posted a $50,000 bond to secure his release. Coach Mark Uhiren says Cooper's status with the team hasn't changed. "He's not caused us any trouble at all within the parameters of the football team. The rest of it is in the hands of the law," Uhiren says. "We're being advised of (the case) as it progresses. If something comes from it, we could take some action." Cooper recovered a fumble in the Patriots' 28-18 win over Mountain Home week 7. A Marion win over Sylvan Hills in week 8 would likely create a three-way log jam for second place in the conference among Forrest City, Sylvan Hills and Marion. Sylvan Hills surprised Forrest City last week, and Forrest City earlier beat Marion. Even with a three-way tie, the Patriots' chances of playing host to a playoff game are not very good. Their overall point total suffers when compared to the other two.
Marion gets kick out of Patton September 26, 2007 By David Wallace Hootens.com MARION - Marion coach Mark Uhiren was sold on keeping a kicking specialist on the roster even before senior Jerry Patton (6-0, 160) drilled a 33-yard field goal with three seconds left to beat Searcy 17-14. But that kick solidified his feelings. It was Patton's third game-winner in a little more than two years. He beat Greene County Tech with a late kick as a sophomore and hit one against Jonesboro with three seconds left last year. Patton kicks on his own and away from the rest of the team during practice and charts the field goals he hits from various distances and angles. The coaches use the charts to predict the probability of success in various game situations. Patton, who also punts and kicks off, is the goalie on the Patriot soccer team. Uhiren says he's tried to use a soccer player as a kicking specialist since he was at Lonoke and discovered Michael Rembert by accident. He says he now goes through the halls asking, "Do you know anybody who plays soccer?" Patton hit a 43-yard field goal in a JV game with Blytheville two weeks ago. "In those B games, when we cross the 50, we give him a shot," Uhiren says. Uhiren says his leading rusher, junior running back Deoppolis Smith (5-7, 160), has been the biggest surprise of the season. Smith (4.6 speed) ran for 173 yards Week 3 in a win (9/14) and 154 at Searcy. Patriot Stadium added about 1,700 seats before last season, but Uhiren expects that won't nearly accommodate the crowd Week 5 (9/29) for conference rival West Memphis, the No. 2 team in the Hootens.com 6A rankings. The coach says the game will draw close to 9,000. Reprinted by permission.
Marion's offense finally scores September 20, 2007 By David Wallace Hootens.com MARION - Marion's Deoppolis out-rushed Mills' Antonio in the battle of the Smiths in week 3. Junior RB Deoppolis Smith (5-7, 160) of Marion ran for 151 yards in the Patriots' 31-12 victory. Antonio Smith of Mills ran for 119 and left the game with an injury in the fourth quarter. Marion had not scored an offensive touchdown in its first two games, when the Patriots beat Wynne and lost to Rogers. Marion eschewed the punt on a fourth-and-2 from its 21 in the second quarter. Patriots coach Mark Uhiren was quoted as saying he thought it was third down. Reprinted by permission.

**2006 Schedule**
Date	H/A	Marion	285	Opponent	220	W/L	Record	Conf
Sep. 1	A	Marion	14	Wynne	13	W	1-0
Sep. 8	A	Marion	14	Rogers	42	L	1-1
Sep. 15	H	Marion	36	Little Rock Mills	12	W	2-1
Sep. 22	A	Marion	35	Searcy	21	W	3-1	1-0
Sep. 29	A	Marion	25	West Memphis	28	L	3-2	1-1
Oct. 6	H	Marion	17	Forrest City	0	W	4-2	2-1
Oct. 13	A	Marion	34	Mountain Home	39	L	4-3	2-2
Oct. 20	H	Marion	28	Sylvan Hills	6	W	5-3	3-2
Oct. 27	A	Marion	10	Jonesboro	7	W	6-3	4-2
Nov. 2	H	Marion	23	Jacksonville	20	W	7-3	5-2
Nov.10	A	Marion	42	Lake Hamilton	14	W	8-3
Nov.17	A	Marion	7	Mountain Home	17	L	8-4

**2005 Schedule**
Date	H/A	Marion	414	Opponent	223	W/L	Record	Conf
Sep. 2	A	Marion	42	Mountain Home	8	W	1-0
Sep. 9	A	Marion	45	Newport	20	W	2-0
Sep. 16	H	Marion	47	Rivercrest	7	W	3-0
Sep. 23	H	Marion	23	Greene Co. Tech	20	W	4-0	1-0
Sep. 30	A	Marion	35	Beebe	38	L	4-1	1-1
Oct. 7	H	Marion	7	Batesville	21	L	4-2	1-2
Oct. 14	A	Marion	63	Paragould	28	W	5-2	2-2
Oct. 21	H	Marion	35	Nettleton	20	W	6-2	3-2
Oct. 28	H	Marion	13	Wynne	10	W/2OT	7-2	4-2
Nov. 4	A	Marion	26	Blytheville	0	W	8-2	5-2
Nov.11	H	Marion	44	Crossett	7	W	9-2
Nov.18	A	Marion	34	Greenwood	44	L	9-3

2005 Archives

Marion's Darcel Johnson (20) is dragged down from behind by Paragould's John Flanery (75) in the Patriots' 63-28 win over the Rams. Photo courtesy of Tony Rose, Timeless Photography 10/14/05

Paragould's Kelsey Reely (7) takes the handoff from Chris Stidham (9) in the Rams' 63-28 loss to Marion. Photo courtesy of Tony Rose, Timeless Photography 10/14/05

**2004 Schedule**
Date	H/A	Marion	207	Opponent	213	W/L	Record	Conf
Sep. 3	H	Marion	14	Mountain Home	21	L	0-1
Sep. 10	H	Marion	22	Newport	14	W	1-1
Sep. 17	A	Marion	6	Rivercrest	17	L	1-2
Sep. 24	A	Marion	35	Greene Co. Tech	14	W	2-2	1-0
Oct. 1	H	Marion	34	Beebe	20	W	3-2	2-0
Oct. 8	A	Marion	6	Batesville	28	L	3-3	2-1
Oct. 15	H	Marion	19	Paragould	22	L	3-4	2-2
Oct. 22	A	Marion	50	Nettleton	21	W	4-4	3-2
Oct. 29	A	Marion	7	Wynne	21	L	4-5	3-3
Nov. 5	H	Marion	14	Blytheville	35	L	4-6	3-4

**2004 Archives**
Rivercrest outlasts Marion, 17-6 September 17, 2004 By David Grim NEARsports.com WILSON - The Rivercrest Colts, runners-up in class AAA for the past two seasons, defeated their second class AAAA opponent in a row here Friday night, beating the Marion Patriots, 17-6. "That's what we needed for this young squad," said Rivercrest head coach Mike Smith. "We didn't get to play in the first week. This really builds their confidence. They played inspired football, especially in the fourth quarter." Rivercrest (2-0) scored the only points of the first half on a 28 yard field goal sophomore back-up kicker, John Walker. Walker's kick made the score 3-0 with 2:25 left in the first half. Marion (1-2) got its only points of the game on the opening drive of the second half. The Patriots marched methodically down the filed on a 14 play, 72 yard drive that was capped on a one yard plunge from quarterback Justin Counts. The PAT was broken up, leaving the score 6-3 with 5:08 remaining in the third quarter. Marcus Arnold (14) runs for a handfull of his 114 yards while Dominique Bettes (27) pursues. Rivercrest won the game, 17-6. Photo courtesy of David Pierce, Osceola Times 9/17/04 The Colts held Marion to three, three and out possessions in the final quarter. Marcus Arnold put Rivercrest ahead to stay with 7:36 left in the game on a six yard touchdown run. Arnold added another touchdown from 14 yards out with 2:04 left to ice the game. "We knew that three point lead wouldn't win the game," said Marion head coach Mark Uhiren. "We did our best to keep them contained, but we missed too many tackles. We did everything we could to hang in there." Arnold finished the game with 114 yards on 32 carries. Darcel Johnson led the Patriot running game with 74 yards on 15 carries.

**2003 Schedule**
Date	H/A	Marion	151	Opponent	206	W/L	Record	Conf
Sep. 5	H	Marion	12	Rivercrest	7	W	1-0
Sep. 12	A	Marion	13	Newport	33	L	1-1
Sep. 19	H	Marion	28	East Ponsett Co.	22	W	2-1
Sep. 26	H	Marion	26	Greene Co. Tech	3	W	3-1	1-0
Oct. 3	A	Marion	6	Beebe	21	L	3-2	1-1
Oct. 10	H	Marion	6	Paragould	27	L	3-3	1-2
Oct. 17	A	Marion	8	Vilonia	31	L	3-4	1-3
Oct. 24	A	Marion	12	Wynne	15	L	3-5	1-4
Oct. 31	H	Marion	0	Batesville	41	L	3-6	1-5
Nov. 7	A	Marion	40	Nettleton	6	W	4-6	2-5

Date	Marion	148	Opponent	292	W/L	Record	Conference
Sep. 6	Marion	7	Rivercrest	21	L	0-1	0-0
Sep. 13	Marion	28	Newport	35	L	0-2	0-0
Sep. 20	Marion	20	East Ponsett County	42	L	0-3	0-0
Sep. 27	Marion	13	Greene Co. Tech	12	W	1-3	1-0
Oct. 4	Marion	14	Beebe	51	L	1-4	1-1
Oct. 11	Marion	26	Paragould	42	L	1-5	1-2
Oct. 18	Marion	7	Vilonia	3	W	2-5	2-2
Oct. 25	Marion	6	Wynne	41	L	2-6	2-3
Nov. 1	Marion	7	Batesville	38	L	2-7	2-4
Nov. 8	Marion	20	Nettleton	7	W	3-7	3-4