By ADAM KUJAWSKI, Staff Writer
A good kicker does more than boot field goals,he anchors the entire special teams unit.
Fortunately for the Rivera Raiders, they have a three-year starter in Chelin Martinez who does just that.
“He’s awesome, you can’t replace a guy like that,” coach Tom Chavez said. “We tell him where to place it, and he’ll place it. He’ll put the ball where it needs to be.
“He’s been a great asset to our program. Everything we need to do in our kicking game, it’s taken care of.”
Martinezis a star soccer athlete as well, and he uses his poise and athleticism to succeed on the football field.
Andres Macias, Martinez’s kicking coach, works with him during practice, helping him with his accuracy and power. A typical day at practice consists of Martineztaking 40 or 50 kicks of varying distances and styles.
“He’s improved over the years and continues to gain confidence,” Macias said. “He’s become a spectacular player.”
Mentality is another element in the kicking game, and whether it’s a well-placed punt or a long field goal, a kickoff or a chip shot, Martinezhas taught himself to lock into the proper mental state in order to maximize results.
Though it may take a kick or two to get loose, once the game gets going, the dual-sport athlete is ready for whatever the game presents him.
“You have to be focused,” he said. “You can’t put pressure on yourself, you have to be confident.”
Martinezdemonstrated his focus during last week’s game against McAllen High, though in a different fashion. With his team in need of points early, Martineztook his game a step further and got it done with his legs in a different way.
“We planned (the fake) when I got there to the line,” he said. “(Quarterback and holder Danny Elizondo) said, ‘We’regoing to run a fake, so throw it or run it if you want.’”
Martinezelected to do the former and sprinted toward the end zone for two points.
There’s no doubt Martinez is a valuable piece of the Rivera machine, but to him, he’s just doing his job.
“It’s a team effort from all of us,” Martinez said, “offense, defense and special teams. I help out as much as I can. All the seniors and underclassmen have helped out, too. It’s just a team effort.”
Adam Kujawski covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6663 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @adamkujo1.