MARION — It’s the final dress rehearsal for the upcoming season–schools holding intra-squad scrimmages as a way for their fans to Meet the Teams.

But it’s not just an event for fans.

As Kerry Martin gets ready for 33rd season as a head, 21st at Marion. The Wildcats have made the playoffs the last 16 times there was a postseason. Martin knows the Wildcats have some big holes to fill. More than 20 seniors graduated–a group that played major roles in the Wildcats going 16-2 in the 2021 calendar year, 6-0 in the Covid spring season, then 10-2 last fall. That season ended with a heartbreaking 44-38 loss at eventual state runner up Kankakee in the quarterfinals.

It helps to have a returning starting quarterback in Evan Noelle, Brody Larson had a big junior season in the backfield, and the defense should be stout, anchored by Maurice Marvin on the D-line.

The Wildcats will open their season next Saturday night at home against Herrin.