STUART — Rod Harris understands that his Martin County High School football team isn’t especially loaded with firepower.
As much as a stress-free night would be nice, the longtime Tigers coach understands his team won’t win many games by four or five touchdowns. The alternative, a grind-it-out style, has proven fruitful lately. And that style may be exactly how Harris and the rest of the program drew it up.
Martin County relied on a hard-nosed running game and a punishing defense to outlast Santaluces 21-16 on Friday, Aug. 28, at Napoli Orthodontics Stadium. Two of the Tigers’ three trips to the end zone came courtesy of the defense.
Dating to 2025, Martin County’s last five regular-season victories have been by seven points or fewer.
Sign up and save to watch the NFHS Network
“It all works for us,” Harris said. “That’s our M.O. We play great defense, scoring twice on defense, which is an amazing job for us. And we try to control the ball with the running game. It’s old-school football, but it’s successful for us.”
Jonathan Leocal helped put the Tigers (2-0) ahead 14-7 when the senior defensive end raced around the edge untouched and strip-sacked Jaxson Mariconi. Junior defensive tackle John Richter picked up the loose ball and returned it 30 yards for a touchdown with 7 minutes, 10 seconds left before halftime.
The score remained unchanged until the Tigers’ defense again lit up the scoreboard midway through the third quarter. Following pressure off the edge from senior linebacker Landon Johnson, a deflected Mariconi pass fell into the arms of Wyatt Parks. The senior captain did the rest, rumbling down the sideline for a 56-yard interception return touchdown.
Martin County’s only offensive score came three minutes into the second quarter. The Tigers marched down the field on their second possession, capping a 12-play, 80-yard drive with an 11-yard quarterback keeper by Manny Louis.
While the offense couldn’t capitalize on other lengthy drives, Louis, junior running back Charles Ceasar and sophomore running back Arhmad Walker were effective in a ground game that accounted for more than 200 yards.
“We’ve kind of taken on the identity over the years of being a defensive team,” Parks said. “Like we saw tonight, our offense was playing well, and they got the job done.”
The visitors scored on a long touchdown pass from Jason Guillaume to Jayvon Dawson with 1:28 remaining, but the ensuing onside kick bounced out of bounds.
This story will be updated.
Other area gamesFort Pierce Westwood 40, St. Lucie West Centennial 7
Vero Beach 45, Atlantic (Delray Beach) 30
Viera 35, Sebastian River 8
Boca Raton Christian 45, Master’s Academy 22
Space Coast 44, Okeechobee 0
Atlantic (Port Orange) 14, St. Edward’s 7
Fort Pierce Central at Cocoa - Postponed
Patrick Bernadeau is a sports reporter for Treasure Coast Newspapers. He can be reached at 772-985-9692, on X at @PatBernadeau or via email at pbernadeau@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Week 2 Roundup: Martin County stays true to identity in win over Santaluces
Our editors independently choose our recommendations. Some content is produced with paid support from a third party, however our editorial decisions remain independent. If you buy through our links, the USA TODAY Network may earn a commission. Prices and availability may change.
Leave a Comment