Monterey football primed for winner-advances-to-playoffs game with Palo Duro Dons

Zyion Martin threw Monterey coach Wayne Hutchinson for a loop.

Hutchinson knew the senior Plainsman was fast, but didn’t know just how fast he could be.

During last week’s game against Coronado, Martin ran back a 61-yard punt return for a touchdown and displayed a new asset to his game.

“When he caught the ball, you could just see he was determined to make something happen and man, he looked really good on that return,” Hutchinson said. “He was not going to be tackled and ran through some tackles, showed some speed, showed that extra gear, so I’m going to expect that extra gear from now on because he showed some speed that I wasn’t used to seeing.”

The special teams play would be the only score the Plainsmen mustered in the first half before falling to Class 5A, Division I No. 6-ranked Coronado, 40-14. The loss put the Plainsmen in a must-win situation if they plan to reach the postseason.

More:Coronado offense too much for Monterey defense

As a result, Martin will need to tap into that first-quarter gear again as the Plainsmen (3-5, 2-3) battle for the fourth and final playoff spot in District 2-5A, Division II.

Monterey is set to host Palo Duro at 7 p.m. Friday at PlainsCapital Park at Lowrey Field in the regular-season finale for both squads.

Martin, a three-year varsity player, knows what’s at stake and is determined to help his team earn one more game.

“(I have to come) out with the same dogfight that I had against Coronado and keeping the same mentality and trying to come out with the win for my family and my teammates,” he said. “It’s a playoff game: it’s either win or go home.”

More than maybe anyone on the team, Martin’s season has been full of ups and downs. Not only did the senior wide receiver have to deal with the COVID-19 cancellations Monterey was dealt, but individually, Martin struggled with injuries at the beginning of the season. He’s only played four games on the year and is still the Plainsman’s second-leading receiver with 320 yards and two touchdowns on 26 receptions for a total of 385 all-purpose yards.

The adversity of the season has taught Martin not to take anything for granted and to keep working no matter what.

“It’s a process and learning experience of trying to overcome COVID and injuries and just trying to stick together and try to improve ourselves,” Martin said. “Keep striving. Keep working hard and stick together and go achieve everything together and be a family.”

The Plainsmen were faced with a similar situation last year after losing their first three district games. They ended up winning the last three games to earn the No. 4 seed and used it to upset No. 1-seeded El Paso Eastlake, 66-42, in El Paso then fell to Birdville in the area-round contest.

To give themselves a chance at another postseason berth, the Plainsmen have to get past Palo Duro. Last year’s 56-14 win over the Dons is what began Monterey’s three-game winning streak at the end of the regular season.

“I see a lot of speed in Palo Duro,” Hutchinson said. “If you look at them, the first thing that pops out in your mind offensively and defensively is that they have some guys that can run and speed. Anytime they have speed, it definitely keeps you concerned on both sides of the ball, but like I said, if we’ll execute, I think up front, you’re going to see a much-improved team on the offensive side the ball.”

Monterey’s offense took the biggest hit a few weeks ago when several players either were positive for COVID-19 or had to quarantine due to being in contact with a positive case. As much as Hutchinson tried, Monterey’s lack of numbers forced the squad to have to forfeit the game against Tascosa.

More:Monterey cancels district contest with Amarillo Tascosa due to COVID-19 cases, quarantine

The Plainsmen had some of their guys back last week against Coronado and are expected to be full strength on Friday. 

More:Coronado, Monterey thankful to have rivalry game

With Martin on one side, fellow speedster and Rice University verbal commit MJ Singleton on the other and a healthy offensive line, Hutchinson likes his team’s chances to do something special to end the regular season.

“I told our kids this morning that we’re playing good football at the right time, and the teams that make a run in the playoffs are the ones that play good football at the right time,” he said. “The fact that we haven’t had a lot of games under our belt, I think we are playing good football at the right time. If we can take care of business and get in the playoffs, one of the hardest things to do is just get in the playoffs, but if we can get in, then I really think we’re going to keep improving each and every week.”

Palo Duro at Monterey

When: 7 p.m. Friday

Where: PlainsCapital Park at Lowrey Field

Records: Palo Duro 2-6, 2-3; Monterey 3-5, 2-3

Radio: FM 97.7

Twitter updates: Follow Alexis Cubit at @Alexis_Cubit