Marion 46, Sylvan Hills 43

SHERWOOD — A matchup of surging programs produced one of the wildest finishes of the young season Friday night at Bill Blackwood Field, where Marion outlasted Sylvan Hills 46–43 in the 6A-East opener.

The Patriots (3-1, 1-0) came in riding a three-game win streak in the series and quickly showed why, racing to a 39-19 lead in the third quarter behind quarterback Zayden Walker, receivers Aamoni “Money” Wren, and a bruising ground game from Kajeris Hill and Rico Ward. Walker ran for a score and tossed two deep touchdown strikes to Wren, while Hill and Ward combined for four rushing touchdowns as Marion’s balanced attack controlled the middle of the game.

But the Bears (3-1, 0-1) — enjoying a revival season after back-to-back winless years — refused to fade. Senior quarterback Tyler Hampton delivered the best performance of his career, accounting for five touchdowns. He connected twice with Tyler Blakely, twice more with running back Isaiah Howell, and later found Jeremiah Carey for a late 14-yard score. Howell added a rushing touchdown and a 58-yard catch-and-run to ignite Sylvan Hills’ second-half surge, trimming the deficit to just four points with over eight minutes to play.

After Marion stretched the margin to 46-35 on Ward’s second touchdown run, Hampton pulled the Bears within three on his strike to Carey, then hit Lakobe Brent for the two-point conversion. The Patriots recovered the ensuing onside kick and nearly iced the game when Ward sprinted 43 yards to set up first-and-goal, but Sylvan Hills stuffed four straight plays to regain possession at its own 1-yard line. Hampton moved the Bears out of danger with a first down completion, but Marion’s defense read a hook-and-ladder attempt on the final snap to preserve the victory.

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter
Marion – Zayden Walker 30 run (kick failed), Marion 6–0
Sylvan Hills – Tyler Hampton 1 run (kick good), SH 7–6

2nd Quarter
Sylvan Hills – Isaiah Howell 16 run (kick failed), SH 13–6
Marion – Kajeris Hill 6 run (Brody Wasion kick), 13–13
Sylvan Hills – Hampton to Howell 6 pass (bad snap), SH 19–13
Marion – Hill 10 run (Wasion kick), Marion 20–19
Marion – Walker to Aamoni Wren 71 pass (kick failed), Marion 26–19

3rd Quarter
Marion – Rico Ward 1 run (kick good), Marion 33–19
Marion – Walker to Wren 43 pass (kick failed), Marion 39–19
Sylvan Hills – Hampton to Howell 58 pass (two-point good), Marion 39–27

4th Quarter
Sylvan Hills – Hampton to Tyler Blakely 29 pass (Jackson Walker pass from Hampton), Marion 39–35
Marion – Ward 2 run (kick good), Marion 46–35
Sylvan Hills – Hampton to Jeremiah Carey 14 pass (Lakobe Brent pass from Hampton), Marion 46–43

Standouts

• Zayden Walker, QB, Marion – 2 TD passes, 1 rushing TD

• Aamoni “Money” Wren, WR, Marion – TD catches of 71 and 43 yards

• Kajeris Hill, RB, Marion – two rushing TDs

• Rico Ward, RB, Marion – two second-half TDs, key 43-yard burst late

• Tyler Hampton, QB, Sylvan Hills – 5 total TDs (4 pass, 1 rush)