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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.)

Dearborn Divine Child running back Marcello Vitti (2) takes a handoff into the line during his team's Division 4 Semifinal win over Goodrich.

1st & Goal: 2025 11-Player Semifinals Review

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

November 24, 2025

The pairings are set for the MHSAA 11-Player Football Finals at Ford Field, with seven teams earning opportunities Saturday to finish this fall without a loss – although three of next weekend’s championship games will feature matchups of undefeated contenders.

MI Student AidThe weekend’s Semifinals also saw four reigning champions earn chances at repeat titles, and Dexter earn its first trip to the final weekend of the season for the first time.

It’s a short week because of Thanksgiving, but we’ll be back Wednesday with game-by-game previews of all eight upcoming contests. For now, see below for a glance at all 16 games that got us here.

(Note: Highlights from Saturday's 8-Player Finals will be included in a final football championship "Review" next week.)

Division 1

Detroit Catholic Central 46, East Kentwood 6

The Shamrocks (13-0) will play in their first Final since 2016 after shutting down an East Kentwood offense that had scored  fewer than 35 points only one other time this season. The Falcons (10-3) had reached the Semifinals for the first time since 2014. Click for more from the Detroit Free Press.

Detroit Cass Tech 48, Rochester Adams 22

The reigning Division 1 champion Technicians (13-0) will have the opportunity to play for a first Finals repeat since winning in 2011 and 2012 after continuing a playoff streak of scoring at least 42 points in all four wins. Adams (10-3) finished its season in the Semifinals for the second straight. Click for more from the Detroit News.

Division 2

Orchard Lake St. Mary’s 42, Portage Central 7

St. Mary’s (10-2) will play for a chance to repeat as Division 2 champion after finding its way against a Portage Central defense that otherwise gave up only 64 points this season. The Mustangs finished 12-1, tying their 2013 team for most wins in program history. Click for more from the Oakland Press.

Dexter 41, Birmingham Groves 6

The Dreadnaughts’ Cooper Arendt and Cole Novara continued two of the most incredible statistical seasons in MHSAA history in lifting Dexter (12-1) into its first championship game. The pair connected on four touchdowns in ending Groves’ second-straight Semifinal run at 9-4. Click for more from the Ann Arbor News.

Division 3

Mount Pleasant 41, Lowell 21

Mount Pleasant (13-0) turned in one of its highest-scoring offensive days this season to earn its first trip to the Finals since 2011. Lowell concluded its longest run since 2016 at 10-3. Click for more from the Mount Pleasant Morning Sun.

DeWitt 41, Warren De La Salle Collegiate 20

Traverse Moore scored four touchdowns to help bring DeWitt (13-0) back from a 13-7 halftime deficit and return to the Finals for the first time since 2021. De La Salle (6-7) turned a 1-4 start this season into its fifth Semifinal trip over the last six and after missing a year ago. Click for more from the Lansing State Journal.

Division 4

Hudsonville Unity Christian 45, Vicksburg 17

Unity Christian (12-1) again cleared its playoff opponent by double digits and will return to the Finals after last making the trip in 2021. Vicksburg finished its longest playoff run at 8-5 for the season. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.

Dearborn Divine Child 10, Goodrich 7

Divine Child (12-1) put an end both to reigning champ Goodrich’s repeat hopes and 25-game winning streak, handing the lone defeat to an opponent for the second-straight week after downing Harper Woods 10-6 in a Regional Final. The Martians ended 12-1, while the Falcons advanced to their first Final since 1985. Click for more from MLIVE-Detroit.

Division 5

Grand Rapids West Catholic 34, Ogemaw Heights 24

West Catholic (12-1) had slightly fewer yards than Ogemaw Heights, but made them count a little bit more taking a 13-12 halftime lead all the way to earning its first Finals trip since 2022. Collin Abram (two touchdowns) on offense and Jael Djouguem (12 tackles) on defense led the Falcons. Ogemaw finished 11-1 while making its first Semifinal appearance since 2009. Click for more from the Bay City Times.

Pontiac Notre Dame Prep 51, Monroe Jefferson 21

Reigning champion Notre Dame Prep (11-2) will get the chance to win it all again after doing so for the first time a year ago. Several Fighting Irish found the end zone to earn that opportunity, with quarterback Sam Stowe throwing three scoring passes and running for a TD as well. Jefferson finished its first Semifinal season since 1999 at 11-2. Click for more from the Oakland Press.

Division 6

Kingsley 14, Kent City  0

Kingsley (11-2) is headed to Ford Field for the second time in three years after handing Kent City (12-1) its only loss of its winningest season. The teams were tied at halftime, but the Stags’ defense was just slightly more successful during the final two quarters in posting its first shutout this fall. Click for more from the Traverse City Record-Eagle.

Jackson Lumen Christi 25, Almont 19 (3OT)

This came down to the most dramatic ending of the weekend, as both contenders went scoreless during the first overtime and couldn’t convert after touchdowns during the second before Lumen (10-3) scored in the third and kept Almont (12-1) out of the end zone. Click for more from the Jackson Citizen Patriot.

Division 7

Menominee 32, Pewamo-Westphalia 28

The Maroons (13-0) came back from a 21-6 halftime deficit and scored the game-winner with 24 seconds to play to earn a second trip in three seasons to Ford Field. The Pirates (11-1) were held to their fewest points this season and had given up only 86 over their first 11 games before Menominee broke through. Click for more from Upper Michigan’s Source.

Schoolcraft 43, Clinton 14

Schoolcraft will play in its first championship game since 2001 after scoring this game’s first 37 points. The Eagles (11-2) put up their third-most points in a game this season and held Clinton (10-3) to its fewest since opening weekend. Click for more from the Kalamazoo Gazette.

Division 8

Harbor Beach 40, Bark River-Harris 0

Harbor Beach (13-0) earned its second shutout of a season during which the Pirates are giving up only eight points per game, this one to earn a first trip to Ford Field since 2012. Bark River-Harris completed its first Semifinal season since 2003 at 10-2. Click for more from the Huron Daily Tribune.

Hudson 67, Allen Park Cabrini 14

Hudson will return to the Finals for the second time in five years with a chance for a second undefeated championship run this decade. The Tigers (13-0) topped 60 points for the fifth time this season but second week in a row in ending Allen Park Cabrini’s longest tournament run and winningest season at 11-2. Click for more from the Adrian Daily Telegram.

DeWitt's Traverse Moore (2) follows a blocker during the Panthers' Division 3 win over Warren De La Salle Collegiate.

MHSAA.com's weekly “1st & Goal” previews and reviews are powered by MI Student Aid, a division within the Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP). MI Student Aid encourages students to pursue postsecondary education by providing access to student financial resources and information. MI Student Aid administers the state’s scholarship and grant programs that help make college Accessible, Affordable and Attainable for you. Click to connect with MI Student Aid and find more information on Facebook and Twitter @mistudentaid.

PHOTOS (Top) Dearborn Divine Child running back Marcello Vitti (2) takes a handoff into the line during his team's Division 4 Semifinal win over Goodrich. (Middle) DeWitt's Traverse Moore (2) follows a blocker during the Panthers' Division 3 win over Warren De La Salle Collegiate. (Divine Child/Goodrich photo by Terry Lyons. DeWitt/De La Salle photo by Kolleth Photo.)