For most of the first quarter, last Friday night against mighty Benton, Marion hung around with one of the state’s top programs.
The Patriots scored first on an electrifying touchdown run from senior left tackle Walt Tucker, Jr., capping one of Marion’s more impressive drives of the season.
But Benton pulled away from there, taking a 34-14 lead to halftime and pulled away for a 56-17 victory to cap the regular season.
Benton will go to the playoffs as the No. 2 seed from the 6A East while Marion will sit the postseason out this fall for the first time since 2004.
Marion senior quarterback Ben Bateman completed 12 of 27 pass attempts for 179 yards and a touchdown to classmate Kam Riley, who caught six passes for 91 yards.
The Patriots scored first on Tucker’s touchdown, but Benton responded with the last 10 points of the first period to take a 10-7 lead after 12 minutes.
Trailing 20-7 in the second period, Marion got touchdown pass from Bateman to Riley to work within 20-14, but again the Panthers scored the final 14 points of the quarter to lead 34-14 at halftime.
Benton scored a pair of touchdowns early in the third quarter to seize control of the game.
Marion capped its scoring on a 28-yard field goal from senior Brody Wasion in the third period.