by Jon M. Gambee, Martin Bureau Chief

Martin evened its season record at 1-1 overall with a convincing 42-6 victory over visiting Bangor Thursday.

It was the defense that led the way, as the Clippers limited the Vikings to only 137 total yards. The Clipper defense scored the first points of the game on a safety in the first quarter and also scored on a 63-yard interception return by Carter Hilton and set up another score on a 24-yard interception return in the fourth quarter by Cayden Curry.

The Martin offense was on track all night also, running up 274 total yards, 181 on the ground and 93 in the air.

Seniors Collin Warner and Luke Van Putten led the way with two touchdowns each. Warner ran for one and threw for one, while VanPutten scored on runs of 23 yards and 6 yards.

Martin got on the scoreboard first as the Vikings started a drive on their own 10 yard line late in the first quarter but were set back by three consecutive penalties. Bangor had third and 19 from its own one-yard line, when Martin’s defensive line collapsed on the Vikings for a two point safety. Less than a minute later, VanPutten ran the free kick all the way back to the Viking 6 and Warner ran it in on the first play for an 8-0 Clipper lead.

Logan Elkins scored from two yards out in the second quarter to make it 14-0 at the half.

It was the third quarter when Martin completely took over the contest, however. VanPutten scored from 23 yards out at the 9:41 mark and Alejandro Guevara kicked the first of four extra points on the night to make it 21-0. Then Hilton picked off a Shawn Cox pass on his own 37-yard line and ran it back for a pick 6. Before the quarter was over, Warner found Hunter Kershaw in the back of the end zone to make it 35-0 and turn on the running clock.
But on the first play of the fourth quarter, Robert Taylor broke free from 52 yards out to make it 35-6 and turn the regular clock back on.

However, the Clippers were not finished. They started a 48-yard drive with a 28-yard sprint by VanPutten and he finished it off minutes later from 6 yards out to cap the night’s scoring.

VanPutten finished the night with 73 yards rushing and caught  30-yard pass for 103 total yards. Payton Hunt had 68 yards rushing.

Martin is now 1-1 on the season, while Bangor falls to 0-2. Next week Martin will visit Marcellus.

PHOTO: Martin’s Payton Hunt follows the block of Cayden Curry for a 27-yard gain around left end in the first quarter of the Clippers’ 42-6 victory over Bangor Thursday.