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player ready...Nazareth junior running back Ivory Kelly-Martin had his best game of the season with 242 yards rushing and six touchdowns on 29 carries to match a school record that he achieved earlier this season against St. Patrick.
Turned out the Roadrunners needed every last one to hold off Marist in a wild 62-45 East Suburban Catholic win that also secured a playoff bid for the Roadrunners.
The game became a track meet early as Kelly-Martin set the tone for the Roadrunners (6-2, 4-2), scoring two touchdowns in a little over the first two minutes of the game.
“He has already proved that he’s a great runner on the perimeter, but tonight he proved that he’s a great runner between the tackles and he showed how powerful he is,” Roadrunners coach Tim Racki said.
Even more impressive, according to Racki, Kelly-Martin wasn’t at full strength.
“He was fighting a stomach ailment throughout the game and he was fighting through some nasty stuff,” Racki said.
No ailment was going to stop Kelly-Martin, though. It seemed that every time he touched the ball, he was dragging RedHawks defenders, moving the chains and keeping Marist (5-3, 4-2) off the field.
“I have to give a shoutout to the offensive line,” Kelly-Martin said. “They did a great job creating holes for me and helping me see the field.”
His contributions weren’t just limited to offense. He recorded an interception on the RedHawks’ opening possession and was a constant presence in the Roadrunners’ defensive secondary.
“I’m glad to do whatever I can for my team,” Kelly-Martin said.
Kelly-Martin scored four rushing touchdowns in the first half and carried the Roadrunners to a 34-16 halftime lead. The RedHawks went on the counterattack in the second half and took advantage of Roadrunners penalties to stay in the game. Kelly-Martin’s two rushing touchdowns in the second half kept the RedHawks from ever getting within single digits.
Racki wasn’t happy about the team’s 14 penalties.
“We’re a young team. There’s a lot of talent, but we have to work on stopping these boneheaded penalties,” he said. “It’s something we stress a lot.”
Game notes
* Senior running back Julian Love had 97 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries for the Roadrunners. Senior defensive back Christian Davis had the Roadrunners’ ninth touchdown, taking a fumble recovery back 50 yards in the fourth to give the Roadrunners a 55-37 lead.
* RedHawks senior quarterback Brendan Skalitzky had an outstanding game on the ground, as well. He rushed for 236 yards on 16 carries with three touchdowns. He also went 9-of-21 passing for 150 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions.
Chris Vavra is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.