Martin remained undefeated in seven eight-man football contests this season Friday night with a 42-20 decision over visiting Vermontville Maple Valley.
The victory cements the Clippers as a participant in post-season playoffs. They will be shooting for their eighth straight triumph next Friday with a Parents’ Night ballgame at home against West Michigan Lutheran. Their sternest test of the regular season will come Friday, Oct. 25, against a Climax-Scotts outfit that has only one loss, to unbeaten powerhouse Colon.
Maple Valley, which fell to 2-5 for the season, incidentally was defeated 55-0 by Colon last month.
Cayden Curry ran for 216 yards on 15 carries and accounted for four touchdowns, three by running and one through the air to Travis Thorne.
“With field and playing conditions being wet, we relied heavily on our running game,” coach Brad Blauvelt said. “The offensive line provided good holes to run through as we totaled 378 yards rushing.
Curry led the defensive unit with nine tackles and an interception. Brayden Eckman provided seven tackles, including a sack. Thorne also added an interception.
“We are focused on Michigan Lutheran this week,” the coach added. “We are trying to get everyone as healthy as possible going to the last week of the year and as we move into the playoffs. The kids understand what we are doing on both sides of the ball; now it comes down to execution throughout the week in practice. Good practices will allow us to play deep into November.”
Both Martin and Maple Valley until this season played 11-man football and this is their inaugural eighth-man campaigns.
