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Martinez Shines in Big Reds' Opening Run

September 5, 2018

By Tom Kendra
Special for Second Half

Muskegon High School junior quarterback Cameron Martinez already has shown off a plethora of moves in just the first two weeks of this season.

Week 1 was a display of uncanny patience, field vision and sudden bursts of speed – a combination which produced 30 carries for 290 yards and all five of the Big Reds’ touchdowns during a 36-21 win over visiting Warren DeLaSalle in a battle of reigning MHSAA Finals champions.

Week 2 featured more of an option attack and split-second decision-making (as well as a fourth quarter comeback) during a thrilling 24-21 victory over visiting Detroit Martin Luther King in another blockbuster cross-state matchup.

“I love playing in big games like this, with this atmosphere,” a smiling Martinez said moments after the King game on Aug. 31, as a packed house of more than 7,000 fans exited historic Hackley Stadium.

“There is no feeling like this.”

Martinez has played in big games before, but this atmosphere is a regular part of lining up for the reigning Division 3 champion – which he’s doing for the first time this fall. Midway through his sophomore year in January, Martinez – whose step-father is Muskegon athletic director and head varsity boys basketball coach Keith Guy – transferred from nearby Muskegon Catholic Central (which he led to the Division 8 championship as a freshman) to a larger school and a larger challenge at Muskegon High, which has the winningest high school football program in Michigan.

“When I got here, it was like a family right away,” said the 16-year-old Martinez. “That made the process and the transition so much easier.”

Muskegon coach Shane Fairfield made it clear when Martinez came over that no one is handed a starting position for the Big Reds. Martinez prevailed in a competition with senior Johnny Martin III for the starting position.

Muskegon fans also were skeptical at first, and who would blame them?

The relatively thin Martinez had to replace La’Darius Jefferson, a 6-foot-1, 220-pound quarterback with the mentality of a fullback who regularly ran over defenders while leading Muskegon to a 14-0 record and a victory over Farmington Hills Harrison in last fall’s Division 3 championship game. Jefferson, who rushed for more than 2,000 yards and was named The Associated Press’ Division 3-4 Player of the Year, is now a running back at Michigan State University.

Martinez won over the Big Reds’ faithful quickly with his memorable performance against DeLaSalle, which featured several highlight-reel long touchdown runs, along with many tough carries in short-yardage situations.

The humble Martinez, whose athletic ability was noticed by Central Michigan University two years ago when he was offered a scholarship as a 14-year-old eighth grader, deflected all of the praise and gave credit to the huge offensive line in front of him. Muskegon’s line averages 6-2 and 330 pounds, and returns four of five starters from a year ago.

Anthony Bradford (6-4, 350), who has committed to sign with Louisiana State University, anchors the line at right tackle, and the interior three – senior guards Marquis Cooper (6-2, 330) and Dquarius Johnson (6-2, 330) and junior center D’Andre Mills-Ellis (6-1, 290) – also are returning starters. The only new starter up front is senior left tackle Evan Towers (6-1, 290).

Fairfield said both Martinez and the big guys up front deserve credit.

“There is always a spot he’s heading to, and the guys are clearing the way,” explained Fairfield. “But then he is able to improv, and he does things on his own. He is special.”

Next up is a major road challenge Friday at perennial playoff power East Grand Rapids, before the Big Reds finish the regular season with six straight Ottawa-Kent Conference Black games.

Martinez also is expected to be a key contributor this winter on Guy’s Big Reds basketball team.

Now that the Big Red fans have fallen for Martinez, they do have two follow-up questions: Can Martinez continue to run the ball so much and stay healthy for a full season? And can he throw the ball accurately if need be?

Muskegon offensive coordinator Brent White hinted that he plans to share the wealth more as the season wears on to reduce the wear and tear on Martinez. That was certainly the case in Week 2 against King as halfback Jeremiah Lockhart and slots Demario Robinson and Hyrosha Wilson all had key carries.

White plans to introduce more wrinkles to his team’s attack each week, with the goal a more balanced run-pass offense for the big games down the stretch – most notably a looming home showdown on Oct. 12 against undefeated cross-town rival Muskegon Mona Shores – and then the playoffs.

Martinez has 59 carries over the first two games for 444 yards (7.5 per carry) and seven touchdowns. He has yet to complete a pass as a Big Red – Martinez was 0 for 1 through the air against DeLaSalle and 0 for 2 against King.

“We’re a power team, but we can throw the ball if we have to,” said Martinez, who threw for more than 700 yards last year as a sophomore at Muskegon Catholic. “There’s still a lot of room for improvement. I have to protect the ball better and show everyone that I can run and throw. It’s a great start for us, but we have a long way to go.”

Tom Kendra worked 23 years at The Muskegon Chronicle, including five as assistant sports editor and the final six as sports editor through 2011. E-mail him at [email protected] with story ideas for Muskegon, Oceana, Mason, Lake, Oceola, Mecosta and Newaygo counties.

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Crusaders Making Most of Opportunities

When Cameron Martinez transferred to Muskegon High in January, it was an opportunity for Muskegon Catholic Central sophomore Max Price.

Price, who has a strong arm and was a standout shortstop on the Crusaders’ varsity baseball team as a freshman, proved he was ready for prime time with a strong performance in MCC’s impressive 35-7 season-opening road win at Algonac.

Price threw for 150 yards and a touchdown against Algonac, which has advanced to at least the third round of the Division 5 playoffs each of the last three years. MCC is 1-1 after a 21-7 home loss last week to Pontiac Notre Dame Prep.

The other big offseason news out of Muskegon Catholic was its announcement that it has entered into a two-year cooperative agreement to allow Muskegon Western Michigan Christian students to play football at MCC.

The agreement will bring much-needed depth to the Crusaders’ roster, as seven of its 32 players this fall are WMC students. However, it also will push the perennial Division 8 powerhouse up to a higher division for the playoffs. MCC will now have to combine its enrollment of 126 with 276 students from WMC for a total of 402, which would likely make it a Division 6 playoff school.

MCC, which has won 13 total MHSAA football championships and 12 during the playoff era, won four consecutive Division 8 championships from 2013-16. Christian Martinez, Cameron’s older brother who now plays receiver at Northwood University, was the starting quarterback on the Crusaders’ championship teams in 2014 and 2015.

– Tom Kendra

PHOTOS: (Top) Muskegon quarterback Cameron Martinez breaks through an opening during a Week 1 win against Warren DeLaSalle. (Middle) Martinez pulls away from a Detroit Martin Luther King defender during last week’s victory. (Below) Muskegon Catholic Central quarterback Max Price hands off during last week’s loss to Pontiac Notre Dame Prep. (Photos courtesy of Local Sports Journal.)

A Frankfort ball carrier and Muskegon Catholic Central defender prepare to collide near the line of scrimmage.

1st & Goal: 2024 Week 7 Review

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

October 14, 2024

A total of 45 varsity teams remain undefeated after seven weeks of this 2024 football regular season.

MI Student AidThat total is at least 12 fewer than five days ago after a seismic Week 7 that saw several more league races decided and plenty of movement on the playoff point lists with just two games left for most before the field of 288 is selected.

Bay & Thumb

HEADLINER Chesaning 23, Ovid-Elsie 7 Chesaning (7-0) won this matchup of undefeated teams to clinch a share of the Mid-Michigan Activities Conference title, the program’s second straight as it continued a 13-game league winning streak. Chesaning can make the championship outright this week against Durand, while Ovid-Elise (6-1) closes its league schedule with New Lothrop. Click for more from WJRT.

Watch list Fenton 41, Flushing 21 Fenton (7-0) continued its Flint Metro League dominance by finishing a seventh-straight divisional title run in claiming the Stripes championship outright. Flushing fell to 5-2 but still has guaranteed its best finish since 2019.

On the move Standish-Sterling 27, Ogemaw Heights 25 Standish-Sterling’s benefit from this was a 10-spot jump to No. 16 on the Division 6 playoff list as the Panthers improved to 4-3, but Clare also ended up with a share of the Jack Pine Conference Division 1 title with Ogemaw Heights (6-1) taking its first loss. Goodrich 42, Ortonville Brandon 14 The Martians (6-1) also capped a Flint Metro League title, in the Stars division, after finishing second a year ago. Brandon fell to 4-3. Marysville 19, St. Clair 13 Marysville (6-1) finished a perfect run through the Macomb Area Conference Silver to claim its first league title since 2016 and send St. Clair to 5-2.

Greater Detroit

HEADLINER Utica Eisenhower 21, Macomb Dakota 14 Eisenhower (6-1) bounced back from a Week 6 loss to earn a share of the Macomb Area Conference Red championship for  the second-straight season, with quarterback Jack Bullock scoring the go-ahead touchdown late to also give the Eagles their second-straight win over Dakota (6-1). The Cougars shared the title after tying for third a year ago. Click for more from the Macomb Daily.

Watch list Oxford 38, West Bloomfield 14 This victory, combined with Lake Orion’s 20-13 win over Clarkston, made Oxford (5-2) the outright Oakland Activities Association Red champion. The Red remains one of the most competitive leagues in the state, and this was Oxford’s first league title since sharing the Flint Metro League championship in 2010.

On the move Macomb Lutheran North 30, Riverview Gabriel Richard 22 Lutheran North (6-1) clinched a share of a second-straight Catholic High School League Intersectional #1 title by handing Gabriel Richard (6-1) its only defeat this fall. Walled Lake Western 37, Milford 0 Western (7-0) posted its third Lakes Valley Conference shutout to move into first place alone and sent Milford (5-2) into a tie for second. Warren Michigan Collegiate 54, Romulus Summit Academy North 13 Michigan Collegiate (6-1) handed Summit (5-1) its lone loss, clinching a share of the Charter School Conference Gold title as it seeks a ninth-straight outright league championship. Grosse Pointe North 42, Warren Fitzgerald 34 GPN (4-3) forced a three-way MAC Gold championship between these two and Madison Heights Lamphere. Trenton 13, Allen Park 6 It’s unlikely Trenton will end up with a share of the Downriver League title, but for a second-straight week it handed the first loss to a contender, this time sending Allen Park to 6-1.

Mid-Michigan

HEADLINER Ithaca 42, Saginaw Nouvel Catholic Central 19 Ithaca ran its league championship streak to 16 with this outright clincher in the Tri-Valley Conference Blue, and added to a 20-game league winning streak by handing Nouvel (6-1) its first defeat this fall. The Yellowjackets (7-0) can complete a second-straight undefeated regular season with wins over Tecumseh and Shepherd. Click for more from the Mount Pleasant Morning Sun.

Watch list Howell 35, Novi 21 By winning this matchup of co-leaders, Howell (7-0) clinched a share of the Kensington Lakes Activities Association West title and sent Novi (5-2) into a tie for second with this week’s opponent Brighton. The Highlanders also tied their number of wins from the last two seasons combined.

On the move East Lansing 39, Lansing Everett 26 The Trojans (4-3) bounced back from two straight losses to hand Everett (5-2) its second and move up to No. 13 on the Division 2 playoff list. Haslett 35, St. Johns 14 Haslett (4-3) was another of the state’s biggest risers this week, moving up 12 spots to No. 21 in Division 4 with this win over Division 3 St. Johns (5-2). Central Montcalm 54, Lakeview 6 Central Montcalm (6-1) clinched a share of the Central State Activities Association Silver title and has won its first three league games by a combined 139-14 score. The six victories are the team's most since 2019.

Goodrich's Chase Burnett (25) puts up a stiff arm as an Ortonville Brandon defender attempts to catch up with him.

Northern Lower Peninsula

HEADLINER Petoskey 28, Marquette 23 Petoskey (7-0) clinched a share of the Big North Conference championship, its first since 2014, by holding off Marquette (5-2) in a matchup of league co-leaders entering the night. The Northmen also surpassed their six wins from a year ago and guaranteed their most since 2015. Click for more from the Petoskey News-Review.

Watch list McBain 36, Evart 29 McBain (7-0) clinched a share of the Highland Conference title, its first since 2020, and can claim it outright this weekend against LeRoy Pine River. The Ramblers have reached 35 points in all but one game, trending toward their best offensive output in more than a decade.

On the move Frankfort 27, Muskegon Catholic Central 24 Frankfort (6-1) is holding steady at No. 15 on the Division 8 playoff list after this close win over MCC, which although 1-5 has lost three games by five points or fewer. Traverse City West 30, Mount Pleasant 13 The Titans (4-3) kept their playoff hopes alive in breaking a three-game losing streak, moving up to No. 28 on the Division 2 list. Mount Pleasant (4-3) is No. 24 in Division 3. Charlevoix 44, Mancelona 14 The Rayders (5-2) will carry a four-game winning streak into this week’s matchup with Tawas as they look to complete a second-straight outright league title run. Mancelona (3-4), meanwhile, is hanging on at the No. 30 spot on the Division 8 playoff list.

Southeast & Border

HEADLINER Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 37, Flat Rock 14 A strongly-contested race in the Huron League will go at least partially to SMCC (7-0), as the Falcons claimed a share with this win after defeating Riverview in Week 6. The league title is their first since 2015 and in part the product of a defense that’s given up just 37 points over six league games; both Riverview and Flat Rock (5-2) are averaging 42 or more this fall, but they scored 15 and 14, respectively, the last two weeks. Click for more from the Monroe News.

Watch list Jackson Lumen Christi 35, Traverse City St. Francis 7 Lumen Christi (6-1) built on its recently-clinched CHSL AA championship with this impressive win over the Gladiators, their Division 7 championship game opponent in 2022 and the leaders in the Northern Michigan Football League Legends this fall.

On the move Grass Lake 54, Manchester 46 Grass Lake (4-3) helped make Leslie’s title share in the Cascades Conference East an outright championship by knocking Manchester (5-2) out of contention. Chelsea 35, Jackson 0 Chelsea (6-1) finished its second-straight perfect run through the Southeastern Conference White with their second shutout in five league games. Pinckney 21, Adrian 10 Pinckney (3-4) entered this season after going 0-9 a year ago and then lost the first four games of this fall. But the Pirates have won their last three and moved into the No. 32 spot on the Division 4 playoff list.

Southwest Corridor

HEADLINER Union City 45, Springport 21 The Big 8 Conference grew back to eight teams this season, but the top of the standings may not change as Union City (7-0) clinched a share of a third-straight championship and can finished it outright this week against winless Quincy. Springport (6-1) scored the most points Union City had given up this season, but the Spartans also allowed their most this fall to a Chargers team averaging 37 per game. Click for more from the Coldwater Daily Reporter.

Watch list Parchment 51, Constantine 30 Parchment (6-1) will play Kalamazoo United this week in a winner-take-all matchup for the Southwestern Athletic Conference Lakeshore title, and reigning champion Constantine (5-2) will not be part of a league title mix for the first time since 2018. Parchment had lost six straight to Constantine, including 46-0 a year ago.

On the move Berrien Springs 22, Dowagiac 20 After taking a 22-6 lead into halftime, Berrien Springs (4-3) held off Dowagiac’s comeback push to clinch a share of a second-straight Lakeland Athletic Conference title, with an opportunity to clinch outright again this week against winless Benton Harbor. Portage Central 23, Portage Northern 6 This rivalry win for Portage Central (5-2), combined with Mattawan’s 24-7 upset of St. Joseph, gave the Mustangs a share of the Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference West title – with an opportunity to make it outright against the Bears (6-1) in Week 9. Schoolcraft 56, Saugatuck 7 These two entered as co-leaders in the SAC Valley, and Schoolcraft (6-1) finished Friday as a champion, earning a share with Saugatuck (5-2) falling into a tie for second place. Battle Creek Harper Creek 32, Hastings 0 Harper Creek (6-1) handed Hastings (6-1) its first loss and also broke the Saxons’ 20-game winning streak in the Interstate 8 Athletic Conference. The Beavers are alone in first with two league games to play.

Upper Peninsula

HEADLINER Menominee 34, Negaunee 19 Menominee (7-0) did its part to set up this week’s matchup with Kingsford as a winner-take-all for the Western Peninsula Athletic Conference Copper title, ending 2023 co-champion Negaunee’s chances to grab a share. The Maroons had lost their two recent matchups with the Miners, 47-20 a year ago and 44-0 in a 2022 Division 6 District Final. Click for more from the Eagle Herald.

Watch list Houghton 42, Gladstone 17 The Gremlins (3-4) stormed back after two straight losses to avenge last season’s to Gladstone and pull within two spots of getting into the Division 5 playoff field after falling to No. 38 the previous week. Houghton finishes with Negaunee and Hancock and has defeated the latter this season.

On the move Iron Mountain 40, Bark River-Harris 7 The Mountaineers (7-1) defeated their toughest West-PAC Iron opponent in Bark River-Harris (4-3) to clinch a share of the league title, their second in two years in that division. West Iron County 20, L’Anse 14 The Wykons (3-4) finished a season sweep of L’Anse to pull within five spots of making the Division 8 playoff field. Manistique 36, Gwinn 0 Manistique (4-3) posted a second-straight shutout to climb to No. 28 on the Division 8 playoff list.

West Michigan

HEADLINER Grand Rapids Northview 12, Grand Rapids Catholic Central 3 This matchup was for a share of the championship in the Ottawa-Kent Conference Black, and as such carried lofty expectations. But the result still created a degree of stunning as Northview (7-0) handed the Cougars (5-2) just their second league loss over the last eight seasons. Both defenses were impressive to say the least; Northview entered the game averaging 47 points per game, and Catholic Central was averaging 28 ppg after three straight games scoring 35 or more. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.

Watch list Grand Rapids West Catholic 24, Ada Forest Hills Eastern 23 The Falcons (5-2) clinched a share of the O-K White title as Landon Smith booted a 38-yard field goal for the winning points. FHE (5-2) moved into a tie for second place but will be rooting this week for Hamilton, also tied for second and West Catholic’s opponent this week.

On the move Big Rapids 41, Newaygo 20 The Cardinals (6-1) finished a perfect run through the CSAA Red, avoiding a three-way championship that would have resulted from a win by Newaygo (5-2). Hudsonville Unity Christian 50, Grand Rapids South Christian 21 Unity (7-0) earned a share of the O-K Gold title in its first matchup with South Christian (4-3) since losing to the Sailors in a 2022 District Final. North Muskegon 40, Ravenna 0 North Muskegon (6-1) is undefeated in the West Michigan Conference Rivers since the league split into two divisions three seasons ago, and this clinched a third-straight league title for the Norsemen as a win by Ravenna (4-3) would have created a three-way tie for first.

8-Player

HEADLINER Gobles 20, Martin 14 This one met every expectation, as Gobles won a matchup of undefeated rivals to claim the Southwest Michigan 8-Man Football League Red championship outright and avenge a Regional Finals loss to the Clippers (5-1) from a year ago. Gobles (7-0) had entered ranked No. 5 in the Division 1 coaches poll, while Martin was No. 3. Click for more from the Kalamazoo Gazette.

Watch list Fulton 24, Portland St. Patrick 20 The Pirates (6-1) will finish as at least co-champions of the Mid-State Activities Conference Red after handing this first loss to the Division 2 top-ranked Shamrocks (6-1). This may be turning into quite a series, as St. Patrick won their two meetings in 2023 by a combined 11 points.

On the move Deckerville 44, Kingston 0 Despite all the scenarios that could have created co-champions in the Big Thumb Conference Blue over the last few weeks, Deckerville (7-0) answered with authority and its second-straight shutout when a Kingston win would have meant a three-way title share. Climax-Scotts 36, Bellevue 6 Climax-Scotts (6-1) will face Mendon this week for the Southern Central Athletic Association Red outright championship after sending Bellevue (4-3) out of title share contention. Alcona 74, Whittemore-Prescott 16 Alcona (7-0) moved into the No. 1 spot in the Division 1 coaches ranking last week and rolled through clinching a share of the North Star League Big Dipper title with this victory.

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PHOTOS (Top) A Frankfort ball carrier, right, and Muskegon Catholic Central defender prepare to collide near the line of scrimmage Friday. (Middle) Goodrich's Chase Burnett (25) puts up a stiff arm as an Ortonville Brandon defender attempts to catch him. (Top photo by Tim Reilly. Goodrich/Brandon photo by Terry Lyons.)