City football roundup: Arturo Martinez, Kelly run by Gage Park

Arturo Martinez’s mindset is simple.

“I just try to lower my shoulder and just try to run through them, get those extra 2 yards,” the Kelly senior said.

That plan was working on Sept. 18, when Martinez ran for 210 yards and four touchdowns in the Trojans’ 28-12 win over Gage Park at Rockne Stadium.

Martinez, who plays both ways like most of his teammates, also intercepted two passes for Kelly (3-1, 1-0 Public League Blue Central).

He runs behind a veteran line that includes a pair of four-year starters in Isaiah Lopez and Gael Medrano.

“The line was beautiful today,” Martinez said. “The middle was wide open every snap.”

Lopez likes paving the way for Martinez.

“Every time he scored I was right there with him,” Lopez said. “He hyped me up. He said, ‘Thanks for the blocks.’ I was happy, smile on my face.”

So was Kelly coach Eric Villarreal, who has a more experienced team this fall. Besides two-way linemen Lopez and Medrano, quarterback/linebacker Juan Jamaica and running back/linebacker Alejandro Herrera also are four-year starters. Another key senior is lineman Brian Popoca.

“It’s really great to see these guys develop and grow,” Vlllarreal said. “Lineman is one of those positions where it takes a minute to really learn it. And then it takes another minute to learn the physicality.”

Then there’s Martinez.

“He’s a real beacon to the team,” Villarreal said. “On top of being naturally athletic, naturally (having) really good vision, he’s also a really good energy around the team. He keeps the kids positive. … He’s a really good motivator, a really good role model.”

The Trojans tied for third in the Public League Blue Central last year, a game behind co-champs Solorio and Washington. The goal this year is a conference championship and a chance to move up to one of the White sections.

“That’s the dream,” Villarreal said. “I’ve been preaching to these kids for three years that if they stick to the program, if they believe in the system, it’s going to pay off. And now we’re starting to see … this is a possibility they can really achieve.”

Gage Park (1-3, 0-1) is led by junior quarterback/receiver/defensive back Kenneth Wright. He had a 40-yard touchdown run and a 23-yard TD pass to Tamarion Jude against Kelly, finishing with 146 total yards.

“He came in as a freshman and didn’t want to play football at first,” Gage Park coach Michael Norwood said of Wright. “I said, ‘Come on, try it out.’

“His friends were on the team, he tried it out and he’s rocking and rolling. He was a CPL all-conference quarterback last year so he’s doing a great job.”

Back of the Yards 28, Washington 8: Marko Franco ran for two touchdowns as the Bobcats (1-2, 1-0 Public League Blue Central) rushed for 200 yards in the win. Felipe Camarena and Alex Rodriguez also had rushing TDs. Back of the Yards’ defense forced two turnovers and the special teams recovered three fumbles.

Curie 14, Urban Prep 6: Vince Williams scored two touchdowns for Curie (3-1, 1-1 Public League North). With starting quarterback Gabriel Taylor still out hurt, sophomore Damian Feret threw a 35-yard pass to Ayden Mahaffey to set up Williams’ first score.

DRW Trading 1, Catalyst Maria 0: The Wolves (0-4, 0-1 Public League Blue Skyline) took a forfeit loss.

Goode 26, Hyde Park 8: Aedan Cleveland had a 106-yard pick-six, tying for the fourth-longest in IHSA history, and Quaylen Dobbs had another big game on both sides of the ball as Goode (4-0, 2-0 Public League South) remained unbeaten. Dobbs had 12 carries for 63 yards, including a 33-yard TD, to go along with five tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble.

Cleveland also had nine carries for 50 yards and two more touchdowns. Kayvion Campbell contributed eight tackles and a sack for Goode, while Daniel Pacheco had six tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Caron Williams contributed eight tackles and a pancake.

Hubbard 1, Muchin 0: The Greyhounds (3-1, 1-0 Public League Southwest) picked up a forfeit win.

Marmion 48, De La Salle 14: Zach Woodberry (21 carries, 109 yards) scored on runs of 10 and 3 yards for visiting De La Salle (0-4, 0-1) in the CCL/ESCC Red. Remi Jackson and Dontae Patterson each had six tackles for the Meteors.