by Austin Marsman
After a football winning season, Martin will play in the postseason.
Yes, you read that right.
For the first time in nearly 11 years, Martin is going to the playoffs. Friday night was the deciding factor as Martin handily defeated Lawton 48 to 6 to fashion a 6-3 overall season record, which automatically qualified the Clippers for the post-season.
Junior Cayden Curry began a touchdown streak early in the game, scoring on a five-yard touchdown. Lawton fumbled on its first drive, then Curry walked in a second touchdown and Carter Hilton added a conversion. The Clippers led Lawton early, posting a 14 to 0 notice with more than eight minutes left in the first quarter.
Martin then recovered its own kickoff at the 40 yard line and Alexander Hardy, on two deep runs, was able to score a touchdown. Curry contributed the conversion. Two minutes later it was a similar scenario, the Clippers picked up a Lawton fumble and Cayden Curry found the end zone. Martin was up 28-0 after just one quarter
Dylan Kalas, a senior, took a long pass and snuck past the Clipper defense for Lawton’s only touchdown. Cayden Curry would score one more touchdown to cement the Clippers’ 34-6 halftime lead.
Damian LaFountaine opened the third quarter with a Clipper touchdown and Hunter Kershaw opened the fourth with a touchdown of his own.
Curry eclipsed the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the season and scored 26 points Friday evening.
It was also homecoming for Martin, Michael Morey and Cassie Roe, respectively, were crowned king and queen during halftime festivities.
Now 6-3, the Clippers have punched a ticket to the post-season – a feat that hasn’t been achieved since the 2007 season.
“This win means a lot for the community, these kids have worked so hard and it really paid off,” said Coach Brad Blauvelt, a member of that 2007 team and longtime part of the program.
An opponent, date, and location has yet to be announced for Martin’s first round of post-season play in almost a dozen years.
Martin alumnus Austin Marsman is a GVSU student studying Multimedia Journalism and Political Science. Marsman will return, as opportunities arise, to the TownBroadcast staff as a contributing writer.
Cover Photo
Cover: The entire team flashes a “we’re number one” gesture as they pose in front of Friday’s scoreboard. (Photos courtesy Austin Marsman)
