Westwood QB R.J. Martinez sets state record in season finale against Cedar Ridge
Move over Johnny Football, a new quarterback is setting Texas high school football records.
Westwood junior quarterback R.J. Martinez put up historic numbers Friday night in the Warriors' season-ending 77-69 loss to Cedar Ridge at Kelly Reeves Stadium.
"Our goal is to score every time we touch the ball," Westwood head coach Anthony Wood said. "It doesn't matter if it's running or passing, it's about scoring. In this game, it was better to move the ball through the air. With a guy like R.J., he's capable of taking each game plan and turning it into success."
Martinez completed 50 of 76 passes for 606 yards and seven touchdowns and carried the ball 12 times for 193 yards and three touchdowns. He even caught one pass for two yards in a game where he contributed more than 800 yards of offense.
His 76 passing attempts are the most in the history of Texas high school football, passing Johnny Manziel, who attempted 75 passes for Kerrville Tivy against San Antonio Madison in 2009, for the all-time record.
Martinez is also tied with former Flower Mound quarterback Paul Millard with 50 competitions in a single game.
"We had a good game plan because of coach Wood," Martinez said. "We had multiple checks for what defense they were in and we made those checks and executed on those checks. the main thing was execution and getting the ball out fast."
Martinez also rushed for 206 yards and three touchdowns on 13 attempts.
Six different Westwood receivers caught passes on Friday night.
Senior Oliver Yu had 17 receptions for 205 yards and one touchdown, junior Robbie Jeng had 16 catches for 148 yards and four touchdowns, and Jace Lyne finished with nine receptions for 112 yards and a touchdown.
"That's a representation of all the work we put in," Martinez said. "I know (Coach Wood) stays up late watching film and planning, and I do the same thing. We take a lot of pride in our offense, and when we go out there and practice, that's the goal every day."
While this season didn't finish the way the Warriors would've liked, most of the team that blew up the box score on Friday as they have been all season long returns for one more year with the Warriors.
Eight of the Warriors' 11 starters from this season's dynamic offense return.
"We've got just about our entire offense back," Wood said. "We've got to figure out how to win games like this. That was fun for the fans, but the ultimate goal is to win. To see how this team fought tonight is a credit to their character and desire to want to be successful."