Joe Martinek of Hopatcong is running to New Jersey history.
Yesterday the All-State back exploded for a school-record 396 yards rushing and scored four touchdowns to guide Hopatcong to a 34-12 victory over Jefferson in Jefferson.
Martinek, who averaged an astounding 12.7 yards a rush on 31 carries against Jefferson, is now 282 yards away from establishing the all-time career rushing record in New Jersey. Keyport's Kenny Cattouse, who rushed for 6,720 yards in four seasons, set the state record in 2003. Martinek's rushing total yesterday was 68 yards shy of the single-game record in the Sussex County Interscholastic League. Pope John's Jason Harper rushed for 464 yards in 2003.
The Rutgers-bound Martinek, who scored on runs of 77, 75, 35 and 15 yards, rambled for 174 yards and one TD in the first half when Hopatcong grabbed a 13-6 lead. Fullback Carl Juskus (four carries, 25 yards) had an 18-yard TD run in the first quarter to give Hopatcong (3-1) a 6-0 lead. Kyle Imroth tacked on his first of four placements. Jefferson's John Kaschak rushed for 92 yards and a TD on 14 carries and Buddy Miller returned a kickoff 80 yards for a TD.
| 1st Q | 2nd Q | 3rd Q | 4th Q | Final | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hopatcong 3-1
| 7 | 6 | 21 | 0 | 34 |
| Jefferson 1-3
| 0 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 12 |
- H: Juskus 18 run (Imroth kick)
- H: Martinek 77 run (kick failed)
- J: Kaschak 37 run (pass failed)
- H: Martinek 75 run (Imroth kick)
- H: Martinek 35 run (Imroth kick)
- J: Miller 80 kickoff return (kick blocked)
- H: Martinek 15 run (Imroth kick)