STUART – No. 3 seed Martin County came into the Class 4S-Region 3 quarterfinal round against No. 6 seed Treasure Coast as the area’s hottest team.
With a four-game winning streak, the Tigers were ready to prowl against the Titans in hopes of an upset home win last night (Nov. 11).
This playoff matchup turned out to be a one-sided affair, to say the very least.
And in essence, Martin County’s hot streak was effectively extinguished at home.
It was all about Treasure Coast from start to finish – save for a late Martin County score – in its 35-7 road win.
How did it happen?
We can get right to the beginning of this game, as Treasure Coast junior Jamison Davis busted out a 64-yard touchdown run at the 10:28 mark of the first quarter.
With an extra point from junior kicker Manuel German (5-for-5 last night), Treasure Coast took a 7-0 lead.
German went 5-for-5 in his extra point attempts against Martin County for his team’s 35-7 road win in the Class 4S-Region 3 quarterfinal round on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022.
Photo credits: Mark Riemer/RRR Photography
And not long after Treasure Coast’s defense made short work of Martin County’s offense, we got a 41-yard touchdown pass from junior athlete George Roberts to senior tight end Conner Johns, who was wide open for the score.
German’s second extra point extended Treasure Coast’s lead to 14-0 with 6:34 left in the first quarter.
To close out the scoring for the first half, we got a 36-yard touchdown from Treasure Coast senior standout Melik Cooper with 11:50 left in the second quarter.
German’s third extra point made it 21-0 in favor of Treasure Coast.
“It was third down,” Cooper said. “Put a big dog up in there to go get some yards. I caught the ball and seen a full go. He blocked out and I just came up right behind him. Gone.”
The second half was no different, as it was mostly about Roberts from here.
We got a quarterback sneak for a score by Roberts with 4:42 left in the third quarter. It was a 1-yard touchdown run.
German’s fourth extra point made in 28-0 in favor of Treasure Coast.
The final touchdown for Treasure Coast came with 9:34 left in the game, when Roberts took it to the house on a 28-yard run.
German’s fifth and final extra point made it 35-0 in favor of Treasure Coast.
The game turned into a running clock from that point on.
“The team executed,” Roberts said. “We all played together. When they blocked, we hit them holes and we scored touchdowns. I had two touchdowns, but thanks to my o-line. If I didn’t have my o-line with me, none of this would have happened.”
Photo credits: Mark Riemer/RRR Photography
Roberts gave a shout out to the Treasure Coast offensive line.
“Them boys are dogs”, Roberts said. “All that work they put in practice come straight to the game.”
With the win, Treasure Coast (4-6) advances to the 4S-Region 3 semifinal round against No. 2 seed Osceola (Kissimmee) (8-3).
The Treasure Coast-Osceola game will be essentially a rematch of Week 1, when it was a 14-5 decision in favor of the Kissimmee-based team way back on Aug. 26.
Next week’s playoff game will be on Friday, Nov. 18 at Osceola High School. It is set for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff in Kissimmee, according to MaxPreps.
As for Martin County (8-3 final record), its magical season comes to an end.
Martin County’s season will be remembered most by its great game moments that include the Week 9 upset win over Vero Beach (28-21) and the Week 11 win at the final buzzer over Jensen Beach (27-22) in the Treasure Coast’s Game of the Year.
PHOTO CREDITS: Mark Riemer/RRR Photography
VIDEO CREDITS: Shane Robinson/HurriShane
