Photo taken by Aleshia Blauvelt.
The Martin Clippers did not play last Friday after COVID concerns forced the team to forfeit their contest against Lawrence. This week, they returned to action, but against a different opponent than the team originally planned. After some scheduling adjustment, thanks to hard work from Athletic Director Robert Vandenberg, they were set for a rematch with Tri-Unity Christian, a team that they had previously defeated 60-20 in the season opener. Despite not playing or practice since the quarantine period started the Wednesday of the week before, they completed the season sweep with a 20-6 win.
On Saturday, playing with just eleven players the entire night, the Clippers’ defense stepped up, limiting the Defenders to just six points, the lowest scoring output for Tri-Unity since Martin shut them out in 2019. This allowed the Clippers to win this contest, despite scoring a season low twenty points. Brayden Eckman led the charge defensively with 12 tackles and a fumble recovery. Gabe Meyers added 5.5 tackles and an interception, while Charlie Martin had 4.5 tackles.
Eckman was the leader on the ground as well, as he turned his twelve carries into ninety yards and two touchdowns. As for Meyers, he ran for 132 yards, and he also threw for 42 yards and a touchdown. That touchdown was a thirteen-yard pass to Charlie Martin in the fourth quarter that sealed the victory.
Martin now improves to 3-0 all-time against the Tri-Unity Defenders: 20-0 last season, 60-20 in 2020, and 20-6 on Saturday.
Coach Brad Blauvelt stated that he was proud of his kids for stepping up to the challenge of playing shorthanded. He mentioned players such as Mitchell Jager (who played guard instead of his usual receiver role), who played key roles in new positions in this victory.
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With this victory, the Clippers now sit at 4-1 on the season, with that forfeit defeat their lone blemish on the record. They have outscored their opponents 183-56. In the latest playoff projections on Snooze2You, the Clippers would be a #2 seed in their district, giving them a home game. The playoff matchups will be finalized and announced following this weekend’s action, but it appears that Martin is on track to host at least a first round contest.
Martin will conclude its regular season on Friday when they travel to take on Bangor. The Vikings are currently o-4 on the season. Despite being in the same conference, these two have played zero common opponents so far this year.
These schools have not played since they were 11-man teams back in 2016, when the Clippers won 42-6. Dating back to their first meeting in 2003, Bangor holds a 10-4 all-time series lead.
