Local product set to line-up against ‘hometown’ team in national semi-final

After that, he spent four seasons in the Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL), with the Regina Thunder, which included winning the Chris Sullivan Award for Outstanding Defensive Back in his final season (2019).

Now, he’s in his second year with St. FX (no U Sports season in 2020), and he’s already in his second-straight national semi-final game (back-to-back Atlantic University Sport champions).

This year, however, he and his 8-0 squad are hoping for a better result, as they were beaten by last year’s Vanier Cup champions, the Western Mustangs, 61-6 in last year’s Mitchell Bowl.

Western then went on to beat Saskatchewan, 27-21, in the 2021 Vanier Cup.

When asked how he felt about facing his ‘hometown team’, Martin told northeastNOW and HuskieFAN it was something he was actually hoping for.

“I thought it was awesome when we heard that they won their game after ours had already finished. I got a couple of friends that are on that team and just being able to play the team that’s from home since I moved all the way out here, I think is gonna be an awesome experience.”

Some of those friends he even played with, back in his junior days.

“I think it will add to the overall experience too, because a couple of guys I played with down in Regina, and we haven’t really seen each other since we parted ways there. Just being able to be on the field again, it’ll be different obviously, because we’re across the ball from each other, but I think it’ll be a great time.”

This may cause some local difficulty in who to cheer for, as the Huskies are the closest university to Melfort, however, Martin will be the only Melfort product on the field for either team.

Martin said he has no hard feelings either way, as long as everyone is cheering for “hopefully the best football game this season.”

While Huskies fans may be cheering for Martin to at least have a good performance, that may already be a given, as he was named one of the conference’s all-stars this year.

(Melfort Comets/Facebook)

Martin credited his fellow X-Men with helping him achieve this feat, stating they have to play as a unit to have a chance against the favoured dogs.

“This year, my success came from guys that are around me on the field. Can’t do anything by myself and it truly is a team game and luckily that I was able to be in the right spot and make some plays. This weekend for us, it’ll just be trying to play together and play fast.”

And regardless of the outcome, both teams have something to be proud of, as they’ve been deemed top-4 in Canada.

As for Martin he also already has a solid career to reflect on and show people back home that you can truly play anywhere.

“It’s just been an awesome experience with every team I’ve been on, just building myself up as a person and as a player, obviously developing my football sense every each and every year, and then just being able to play at the next level. I think it shows that everybody from back home there’s a chance no matter if you’re going to university or high school or if you’re going to junior, as long as you stick to it, there’s an opportunity for you.”

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter @BenTompkins_8

by Ben Tompkins

Local product set to line-up against ‘hometown’ team in national semi-final

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