By ANDREW GOODMAN

Herald Sports Writer

Just when it seemed Joe Martinek couldn't accomplish anything else as a high school football player, he took home another award.

Friday, the Hopatcong senior was named the Gatorade New Jersey Football Player of the Year.

"To be considered the top player in the state is a great honor," said Martinek, who added he was surprised to win the award.

Martinek finished the season with 2,081 yards rushing and 27 touchdowns. In October, Martinek became New Jersey's all-time leading rusher with 7,626 yards and is 26th in high school history nationwide. In the first round of the playoffs, Martinek scored five touchdowns in the Chiefs' win against Ramsey, which was the most he scored in a high school game.

Martinek helped Hopatcong win the North I, Group II state title as a junior. His 2,508 yards were also a key for the Chiefs, as they won a share of the SCIL title for the first time in school history.

He also is a peer mentor and a youth football and track coach. Martinek volunteers with Kids for Kids, a program that helps elementary school students.

"What's truly amazing about him is that you could walk into our high school and spend the day here and you still couldn't pick out of a crowd," Hopatcong coach Paul Reduzzi said in a press release. "Most kids who've accomplished what he has would walk around with their chest puffed out or wear their varsity jacket everywhere.

"Joe is as down to earth as they come even though he's a stellar athlete."

Martinek will attend Rutgers next year, where he will play football and will be on the track team.

Gatorade combines with Rise Magazine to select a Player of the Year from all 50 states. The award also takes into account academic achievement and character on and off the field. All state winners become eligible for the National Player of the Year Award, which is announced in mid-December.

In addition to football, Gatorade awards a Player of the Year in girls volleyball, boys and girls soccer, boys and girls basketball, baseball, softball and boys and girls track and field. The honor was first given in the 1985-86 school year.

The last three Gatorade New Jersey Football Players of the Year were Antwine Perez (Woodrow Wilson), Eugene Monroe (Plainfield) and Brian Toal (Don Bosco). Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Chris Simms (Ramapo) was the 1998-99 award winner.

To be in that company, along with beating all the other top players from the state, make this honor special for Martinek.

"This is really high on the list (of accomplishments)," Martinek said.

Martinek will also be a finalist for MSG Network's High School Heisman Award, which is given to player from the Tri-State area.