Martin overcame a tough opponent in its season opening ballgame at home Friday night be edging Mendon 30-28.
The visiting outfit gave the Clippers some headaches last year when they met, when Martin pulled out a bruising 28-20 verdict. Martin also defeated the Hornets 41-22 in the second round of the post-season playoffs, saddling them with two of their three losses in 2021.
The Clippers kept their regular season unbeaten streak alive. They have lost only in the playoffs to the eventual champion in the past three seasons.
Martin had trailed 20-8 at halftime.
The Clippers opened the scoring with a long drive after recovering a fumble. Senior quarterback J.R. Hildebrand tossed a 34-yard scorring pass to junior Taegan Harris.
But the Hornets came up with three touchdowns in the second quarter, two by back Jack McCaw.
Hildebrand was sidelined with cramps at the beginning of the second half, but senior Karter Ribble stepped in to lead the Clippers. He entered the end zone from 12 yards out on a keeper around the pilon and completes a two-point conversion pass to senior Drake Buell to bring Martin to within four points, 20-16.
Hildebrand then returned to the lineup and hit senior Sam Jager with a TD pass and the Clippers regained the lead at 22-20. Mendon retook the lead 28-20 on another run and two-point conversion.
Hildebrand then broke loose on a 34-yard scamper to the end zone with 2:34 remaining in the ballgame and a two-point conversion that ultimately was the difference in the final score. Mendon made a heroic two-minute drill near the conclusion of the contest, but Martin’s Abe Dykstra stripped a Hornet runner of the ball and it was recovered by senior Chris Tuinstra 13 yards short of the goal line.
Hildebrand finishwed with 115 yards on 14 carries and went 4-for-11 with a three scores through the air and an interception. Senior Braedan Shanley ran eight times for 65 yards.
Hildebrand had 12 tackles, junior Bryce Robinson wrapped up 11 1/2 tackles and Jager made 9 1/2 stops.
