Marion turns turnovers into points to outlast Sheridan in 6A East

Marion 61, Sheridan 51

SHERIDAN, Ark. — On Senior Night at Yellowjacket Stadium, Marion overturned an early deficit and finished with a 10-point win behind a disruptive defense and timely quarterback play. Linebacker Zadean “Zay” Wilson produced two interceptions — including a third-quarter pick-six — to flip momentum, while quarterback Zayden Walker accounted for three touchdowns (two to Max Malloy, one on a 1-yard keeper). Running backs Rico Ward and Jeremiah Dentbalanced the offense; Dent also housed an onside kick in the first quarter.

Sheridan’s offense again centered on junior running back Zay Stephens, who slashed for four rushing scores and repeated chunk gains. Quarterback Easton Barksdale delivered two touchdown passes — a 51-yard strike to sophomore receiver Hunter Socia and a 29-yard toss to junior Dylan Smith — as the Yellowjackets piled up 43 first-half points. Defensively, corner Lawson Wallingsford, safety Reid Stevens, linebacker Laighton Tarter, and nose guard Jequelan Morrisdelivered timely tackles to keep it a one-score game late.

Marion led 48–43 at halftime after Walker hit Malloy with 25 seconds left in the second quarter, and Wilson’s pick-six pushed the margin to 54–43. Barksdale’s connection to Smith and a two-point pass to Socia drew Sheridan within 54–51 with 6:38 remaining, but Walker located Malloy again with 2:17 to play to seal it. Edge rusher Ryan Blackwell helped compress Sheridan’s pocket all night.

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter
Sheridan – Dylan Smith TD pass from Easton Barksdale (J. Morris 2-pt pass), 8–0.
Marion – Cameron Riley 14-yd reverse (kick blocked), 8–6.
Sheridan – Zay Stephens 7-yd run (D. Smith 2-pt pass), 16–6.
Marion – Rico Ward 1-yd run (Cornelius Spears kick), 16–13.
Sheridan – Stephens long run (2-pt rush), 24–13.
Marion – Dent onside-kick return TD (Spears kick), 24–20.
Sheridan – Stephens 46-yd run (Andrew Mitchell kick), 31–20.

2nd Quarter
Marion – Ward 1-yd run (Spears kick), 31–27.
Marion – Walker 1-yd run (Spears kick), 34–31, Marion.
Sheridan – Stephens run (kick failed), 37–34, Sheridan.
Sheridan – Hunter Socia 51-yd pass from Barksdale (pass failed), 43–34.
Marion – Walker 1-yd run (Spears kick), 43–41.
Marion – Malloy 33-yd pass from Walker (Spears kick), 48–43.

3rd Quarter
Marion – Wilson 25-yd interception return (kick failed), 54–43.

4th Quarter
Sheridan – Smith 29-yd pass from Barksdale (Socia 2-pt pass), 54–51.
Marion – Malloy 20-yd pass from Walker (Spears kick), 61–51.

Players who stood out

• Zay Stephens (RB, Sheridan) — 4 rushing TDs

• Zadean “Zay” Wilson (LB/Edge, Marion) — 2 INTs, including a pick-six

• Zayden Walker (QB, Marion) — 3 total TDs (2 pass, 1 rush)

• Max Malloy (WR, Marion) — 2 TD receptions

• Dylan Smith (WR, Sheridan) — 1 TD catch, key receptions