Martin put the finishing touches on an undefeated season in eight-man football Friday night by defeating NorthPointe Christian 50-7.
The Clippers had a bit of a slow start, leading only 20-7 in the second quarter, but regained their rhythm leading up to halftime, grabbing a comfortable 34-7 advantage.
Martin scored 16 points on two touchdowns and two, two-point conversions to pull away in the second half.
The Clippers now have rolled up an impressive 499 points in their nine games this season and yielded only 63. The per-game average spread is 55 to 7.
The Clippers also are 9-0 and they will be the host team for the first round of the post-season playoffs at 7 p.m. Friday night. The community already has indicated it will postpone Halloween trick or treating activities a day later, Saturday, Nov. 1, in an effort to avoid conflicts and in the interests of public safety.
Hopkins 12, Fruitport 7
The victory lifted the Vikings’ season record to 5-4 and increased their prospects for a playoff bid considerably. Interestingly, Fruitport also would have earned a playoff berth with a victory, but it was not to be, thanks to a first-rate performance by Hopkins’ defense all the way up until the fourth quarter.
Though not known as a passing team, Hopkins scored its first TD of the evening on a 33-yard pass from quarterback Merek Zapolink to B. Hyma. Vincente Garze booted the extra point.
The Vikings picked up two more points when Henry Teunissen sacked the Fruitport QB for a safety to make it 9-0.
The only other Viking score came in the second period on a 32-yard Garza field goal.
Zapolnik completed five passes in nine attempts for 101 yards and a touchdown.’
Fruitport finally got on the board in the fourth quarter on a 6-yard run, but it was too late.
Jaxson Koperski and G. Holweger led the defensive effort with seven tackles and assists apiece.
More information about playoff pairings and locations will be made available Sunday evening by the Michigan High School Athletic Association.
Hastings 48, Wayland 34
The Wildcats finished the season with a 2-7 overall record and they were tied with Hamilton for the cellar in the revamped O-K White Conference with a 1-4 mark.
Wayland actually had a decent season offensively. The ‘Cats scored in double figures in all contests, win or lose, and besides this one’s 34-point effort, they had 50 points in their season opener and 35 in a tough one-point loss to Sparta.
Hastings already has qualified for the playoffs with a 7-2 overall record.
