Cedar Ridge 77, Westwood 69: Teams combine for nearly 1,500 yards in offensive classic

Almost lost in the offensive explosion at Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex Friday where Cedar Ridge defeated Westwood 77-69 and the teams combined for nearly 1,500 yards of offense was the fact the Raiders clinched a playoff spot.

But with Westwood quarterback RJ Martinez setting state records by going 50 of 76 through the air for 609 yards and seven touchdowns and adding 173 yards and three touchdowns rushing, the Warriors’ junior signal-caller stole the spotlight.

Martinez was simply brilliant in leading an offense that produced 840 yards in a losing effort, throwing pinpoint passes throughout and using his legs when needed to while overshadowing other phenomenal performances such as Cedar Ridge running back Deuce Vaughn rushing for 302 yards and four touchdowns.

Martinez broke the previous state record for 75 passing attempts held by Johnny Manziel of Kerrville Tivy. His 50 completions tied the state record held by Paul Millard of Flower Mound.

“The main thing was just executing and getting the ball out fast where I was supposed to go with it,” Martinez said. “We had a good game plan because of (Westwood coach Anthony Wood). We had multiple checks and we executed on those checks.”

Martinez connected with six different receivers, but his favorite targets were Oliver Yu and Robbie Jeng.

Yu made 18 receptions for 229 yards and two touchdowns, while Jeng hauled in 14 balls for 150 yards and four scores. Add in Jace Lyne’s eight catches for 100 yards, and the Warriors had three receivers break the century mark, while two others had more than 50.

“Our goal is to score every time we touch the ball,” Wood said. “It doesn’t matter whether it’s running or passing, it’s all about scoring. This game, it just happened we were better off moving the ball through the air. With a guy like RJ, he’s capable of taking each game plan and turning it into success.”

Even with its unstoppable offense, Westwood (4-6, 3-5 District 13-6A) had trouble keeping up with Cedar Ridge (6-4, 5-3), which scored on its first nine possessions. Quarterbacks Jack Turner and Jalen Brown threw two touchdowns apiece, with Brown adding two scores on the ground and Devon Turner hauling in two TD passes to give the game six players with multiple touchdowns.

“Week in, week out, we’re trying to score as many points as possible,” said Vaughn, who also hauled in a 50-yard TD pass to finish with five scores. “We have the versatility to do it. Everybody gets touches and makes plays and that’s how we base our offense.”

Three weeks ago, Cedar Ridge’s playoff chances looked slim after a gut-wrenching 49-42 loss to Vista Ridge on a game-ending Hail Mary left the Raiders 2-4 in district play.

But Cedar Ridge defeated Round Rock and McNeil to give itself a chance entering the final week, then controlled its own destiny once Round Rock lost to Vista Ridge Thursday.

“After the Hail Mary, we were definitely down, but we knew we had to go back to work and come out and win,” Vaughn said. “We knew if we won out that would give us the best chance to get in the playoffs. We hoped everything would work itself out, and it did.”

Cedar Ridge never trailed in the contest.

Vaughn and Martinez alternated touchdowns in the first quarter, with Vaughn scoring on runs of 47 and 51 yards and his 50-yard reception from Jack Turner. Martinez reached the end zone on jaunts of 35 and 6 yards.

The second quarter was relatively tame compared to the rest of the game, featuring only three scores.

Brown threw a 9-yard TD pass to MarkAnthony Walker II and Joseph Captain plunged in from the 2 for Cedar Ridge, while Martinez connected with Yu for a 1-yard score.

With the Raiders holding a 34-20 halftime lead, the scoring pace accelerated in the third with seven touchdowns.

Brown’s 36-yard scoring strike to Devon Turner opened the half, while Martinez hit Jeng on touchdown passes of 25 and 23 yards to bring the Warriors within 41-34.

Vaughn gave the Raiders a one-play scoring drive when he sprinted 61 yards, but Martinez responded with his third TD pass of the frame to Jeng, this time capping off a 77-yard drive with a throw from the 1.

Jack Turner’s 28-yard touchdown pass to Devon Turner and Martinez’s impressive 58-yard scoring run ended the quarter with Cedar Ridge ahead 56-49.

Brown’s touchdown runs of 6 and 2 yards early in the fourth gave the Raiders their largest lead of the game at 70-49, but Martinez threw touchdown passes to Jeng (21 yards) and Jace Lyne (1 yard) to bring the Warriors back within a score.

Westwood forced Cedar Ridge to punt for the first time on its ensuing possession, but a fumble gave the Raiders good field position, and Vaughn reached the end zone for a final time on an 11-yard run.

The Warriors quickly drove 75 yards to pull within the game’s final tally on Martinez’s 2-yard pass to Yu, then looked to have a chance to tie when they recovered their third onside kick of the game, but a fumble all but ended their chances.

“What we have to figure out how to do is win these type of games,” said Wood, whose team will return eight starters on offense next fall. “Ultimately, our goal is to win. To see how this team fought tonight is a tribute to their character and desire to be successful.”

After it catches its breath from Friday, Cedar Ridge will get ready for the postseason.

“Some years it’s easier to get in the playoffs and others it’s harder,” Cedar Ridge coach Sam Robinson said. “There’s two really good teams in Westwood and Round Rock that aren’t going, so we feel fortunate to get to go. It took 10 weeks of grinding to get it done and I’m proud of our kids for doing it.”