WEST PALM BEACH – He played alongside Under All-American linebacker and Michigan commit Jaydon Hood this past season.
He parlayed that level of exposure into a pair of college offers in the offseason.
And now, he will be called upon to be Cardinal Newman’s defensive leader this upcoming season.
He’s none other that Aaron LaMartiniere.
The Crusaders linebacker had a productive junior campaign in 2019, as he tallied 29 tackles (10 tackles for loss), 6 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 4 total touchdowns in 10 games played. His best game was in Week 4 against John Carroll Catholic, when he posted 10 tackles and 4 sacks in his team’s 34-30 win.
“My junior year was a major comeback for me,” the 6-foot-1, 230-pound linebacker said. “I’m thankful to Newman for letting me play on the team and competing with other teams to be able to get where I’m at now.”
LaMartiniere’s level of production has resulted in college scholarship offers from Findlay and Keiser. He spoke on both schools.
“Findlay is a really good school for academics and for sports, even though it’s a Division II school,” he said. “And Keiser is in the hometown area. It’s a football team with a lot of talent and a nice campus. Both are very good schools.”
With that said, the offseason has been about change for LaMartiniere. In the midst of our current COVID-19 pandemic, the incoming senior has had to conduct workouts on his own and has gone from Joe Molina (last season) to Daniel Burack (this upcoming season) as the Cardinal Newman head coach.
LaMartiniere on the Newman head coaching change from Molina to Burack:
“Both of them are very good coaches,” he said. “I have tons respect for both of them. But now with Coach Burack as the head coach, he is getting things done and doing great as of right how. Also, there are changes with the whole team and staff. A lot of things are coming for this season.”
LaMartiniere (No. 3-ranked inside linebacker in Palm Beach County) has big aspirations for his senior year at Cardinal Newman.
“My individual goal this season is to have fun and put in the work. It’s my season, and I’m going to make sure it’s the best one,” he said. “And for the team, the goal is to make sure that we play together as a whole. We’ll make sure we’re doing our jobs correctly and getting the dub (wins).”
PHOTO CREDITS: AA-DM Panozzo
