Although the Marion Swamp Foxes lost 11 football players to graduation last year, the team is ready for the football season to begin with Head Football Coach Brian Hennecy in charge.
Marion is in the 7 AA Region.
The Swamp Foxes are coming off a 1-9 season from last year.
The team has mainly sophomores and juniors returning to the team for this football season. The team has been facing the elements as they prepare for the upcoming season. They eagerly await the start of the season when they will host Lake View on Thursday, August 21, at 7:30 p.m. “Our team is young but they believe in themselves,” stated Coach Hennecy.
There will be little leadership this year from the seniors.
The offense and defense are both works in progress. However, the defense is the strength of the team. Lots of the players will play offense and defense this year.
The receivers are much better route runners. The running backs are young but have learned a great deal in the practices. The offense has a much-improved wide receiver, and a freshman quarterback who is a playmaker and is improving daily. Although Marion lost some running backs, there are new ones to take their places.
The Swamp Foxes have a freshman who will be the punter. The point kicker will be a returner from last year’s team.
Marion’s special teams are much improved from last season.
Marion will face some quality opponents from 1 A, 3 A, and 5 A teams. The schedule is a tough one.
Coach Hennecy remarked “the team is mainly sophomores and juniors who gained experience the year prior. The team has improved in the off season through weight training and practices. Our team has averaged over 40 players at summer practices.”
The Swamp Foxes have some new coaches this year including Matt Caulder who will be the offensive coordinator. Caulder brings a better, fast-paced ball movement attack to the offense. Caulder has great experience as an offensive coordinator. Caulder was previously at Latta before joining Marion. Caulder has been a coach in Marion previously. In his second year with the Swamp Foxes is Randall State who will be the defensive coordinator. State previously was the head coach for Marion who coached Marion to the 2020 AA State Championship in his final year as head coach. State will be in charge of the linebackers. Randy Dennison will coach the safeties. Yamasi Buey and Rick McMahan will coach the wide receivers along with newcomer Rick McMahan. Yamasi Buey will also coach the cornerbacks. Matt Caulder will be in charge of the quarterbacks. Demetrious Johnson will be the running backs coach. Keshawn Rowell and newcomer Darry Russ will coach the offensive line. Keshawn Rowell will coach the defensive ends. Draper Pearson will be in charge of the defensive tackles. Coach Brian Hennecy will be in charge of the special teams.
Coach Hennecy exclaimed ” this is an excellent and experienced staff.”
On Friday, August 29, Marion will travel to Latta. On September 5, Marion will host West Florence. Marion will host Dillon on September 121. Kingstree will travel to Marion on September 19. On September 26, Marion will host the Mullins Auctioneers. Marion will travel to ACA on October 3. On October 10, Marion will have not play. Lake City invades Marion on October 17. Marion will travel to Manning on October 24. Marion will travel to East Clarendon to close out the regular season on Friday, October 31. Games begin at 7:30 p.m.
Attend the games and support your team.
PHOTO GALLERY
Photos by Johnnie Daniels/The Dillon County News, LLC
