Joe Martinek's march to the all-time state lead in rushing yardage resumes tonight when he leads home-standing Hopatcong against Kittatinny. Each team is 4-1.
Martinek has rushed for 6,587 yards during his career and needs 134 more to break the state record set in 2003 by Kenny Cattouse of Keyport.
"The record is something our kids are hearing about from everywhere now," Hopatcong coach Paul Reduzzi said. "There is a little more of a push for it now because the game is at home."
"We told our guys that if Joe gets the record, it's not a reflection on them," said coach Jim Green of Kittatinny, whose team has won its last three games. "We'd be happy to make him work for 134 yards and see him get the record on his last carry, as long as it doesn't adversely effect us."
Kittatinny has placed itself firmly in the state playoff picture -- two spots behind Hopatcong, which sits third in power points in the section.
Hopatcong, last year's North Jersey, Section 1, Group 2 champion, has won four straight since a 31-0 loss to Pope John (5-0) in its opener. Pope John is ranked 13th in The Star-Ledger Top 20.
"It's our second of four straight games against teams in our section," said Green, a 1979 Kittatinny grad, who is in his 14th season coaching his alma mater. "I told our guys it's an opportunity to switch spots with Hopatcong in the power points rankings."
Hopatcong's offensive line, spearheaded by tackle Zack Rey, and fullback Carl Juskus assume responsibility for getting Martinek off the mark. They'll have some mountains to move in Kittatinny tackles Corey Pittenger (6-4, 305) and Stephen Dell (6-3, 273).
"It's a typical Jim-Green-coached Kittatinny team," Reduzzi said. "They mirror his work ethic and discipline and they are very physical and scrappy. It's going to be a good, physical game."
Kittatinny (4-1) at Hopatcong (4-1): Kittatinny's stingy defense is led by 6-4, 305-pound Corey Pittenger and 6-3, 273-pound Stephen Dell. Their chore is to stop Hopatcong tailback Joe Martinek, who needs 134 yards to become the state's all-time leading rusher. He runs behind the blocking of tackle Zack Rey.
Hopatcong, 27-17