Chickasaws to host Marion Friday night

After the, 35-25, defeat coming from the West Memphis Blue Devils Friday night, Coach Ben Fisher and the Blytheville Chickasaws now prepare to host the Marion Patriots,1-1.

Last year, the Chicks lost to the Patriots on a last second field goal, 43-40, in Marion.

"They've got different players this year, they lost their quarterback and a big tight end who had a big part in the outcome last year," said Fisher. "They're just like West Memphis, they're bigger than us, across the board, faster than us, and they'll be able to have fresh players in the game."

Against the Blue Devils, Desmond Moore, senior quarterback, threw for 167 yards, two interceptions and four touchdowns on 16-30 passing.

"The way we practiced last week, I really wasn't pleased with how we caught the ball against Osceola, so Coach G and Coach Lemke took the receivers and worked on their ball skills," said Fisher. " We do a lot of blocking and a lot of route running, but just concentrated on purely catching the ball."

Coach Fisher said one thing that the Chicks have to be better at is in the special teams all around.

"We have to depend on young guys and last week was their first real big game," said Coach Fisher.

Demekko Clark had 95 yards on 19 carries last week.

West Memphis is one of the few teams to hold him under 100 yards the last two seasons.

Fisher expects Marion to key on Clark as well.

"They're going to make us beat them any other way besides Demekko," Fisher said.

The game will be the final non-conference contest with 5A-East Conference play beginning next week.

The Blytheville-Marion game will start at 7 p.m. at Haley Field on Friday.

jfondren@blythevillecourier.com