WEST PALM BEACH – It did not take much for Preston Martin to secure his week of a breakthrough.
The King’s Academy junior wide receiver helped his team secure a 33-27 home win over Lemon Bay in Week 1, as he registered 4 catches for 79 yards and 2 touchdowns. The statistics may say otherwise, but Martin had a huge game in his own right.
Here is how Martin went on to be selected as our Breakthrough Player of Week 1:
•With 1:10 left in the second quarter, Lions sophomore quarterback Will Prichard (MVP of Week 1) connected with Martin for a 20-yard strike that led to a score. An extra point by senior kicker Bernie Cueto gave the home team a 19-6 lead, which carried into halftime.
•The game-sealing play came at the 6:55 mark of the fourth quarter, when Martin hauled in a quick pass from Prichard and sprinted 40+ yards to the end zone. Cueto’s extra point gave King’s Academy a 33-14 lead at that point.
Martin reflected on his breakout performance.
“I feel it was a great start to my season,” the 6-foot, 160-pound wide receiver said. “The coaches did a great job at doing their homework, taking advantage of the defense and getting the ball to our playmakers.”
Martin was pleased with how Prichard led the execution of King’s Academy’s offensive game plan.
“Will had a great game,” Martin said. “We made sure to have good communication on the sideline and tell each other what we saw. He really stepped up and made plays when it mattered.”
Martin is expecting more of the same in Week 2, when King’s Academy (1-0) will travel to the Muck for a game this Friday night against Glades Day.
“You can look forward to our team coming in prepared and ready to play,” Martin said.
NOTE: The King’s Academy-Glades Day kickoff is set for Sept. 18 at 7 p.m.
PHOTO CREDITS: The King’s Academy Athletic Department