Martinez leads way for football team awards

A season of superlatives continued Wednesday for the Laguna Beach High football team.

Two weeks after concluding a memorable 11-1-1 season, the program handed out awards at its 79th annual football team banquet at Tivoli Terrace in Laguna Beach. Head Coach Mike Churchill and his assistant coaches recognized the achievements of teams and players from the varsity and frosh/soph teams.

Churchill said that the individual awards were voted on by the players. The Laguna coaching staff voted on the winners of the Coaches Award.

Senior two-way player Drake Martinez was named varsity Most Valuable Player for the second-straight year. One of four team captains, along with Spencer Anderson, Robert Clemons III and Larry Stewart, Martinez set 10 program records during the course of the 2012 season.

“Drake certainly is deserving of this award, again,” Churchill said. “He’s one of those guys who works hard in practice, and that carries over into games. He did it all on both sides of the ball.”

—

2012 Football Awards

Varsity

Captains: Spencer Anderson, Robert Clemons III, Drake Martinez, Larry Stewart

Most Improved: Jake Hexberg

Most Inspirational: Robert Clemons III

Outstanding Lineman: Spencer Anderson

Outstanding Back: Nate Lancaster

Offensive MVP: Robert Clemons III

Defensive MVP: Joe Casey

Coach’s Award: Blake Hester

Most Valuable Player: Drake Martinez

2012 Record Setters

Individual

Play: 95-yard run (Drake Martinez, vs. John Glenn, Sept. 13; old record: 63 yards, John Luna, vs. Saddleback, 1985).

Game: PATs, 8 (Robbie McInerny, vs. Bolsa Grande, Aug. 31, vs. John Glenn, Sept. 13, vs. Calvary Chapel/Santa Ana, Oct. 19; ties record set in 2011 vs. Ocean View).

Season

Passing Efficiency Rating: Larry Stewart (216.8).

Touchdowns: Drake Martinez (34).

Points scored: Drake Martinez (206).

Kick Scoring: Robbie McInerny (83 points).

Punt Returns for Touchdown: Robert Clemons III (5).

All Runbacks for Touchdown: Robert Clemons III (7).

Career

Rushing Yards: Drake Martinez (3,533).

Rushing Yards (per carry): Drake Martinez (9.7).

Passing Efficiency Rating: Larry Stewart (168.8).

Scoring: Drake Martinez (394 points).

Touchdowns: Drake Martinez (65).

Rushing Touchdowns: Drake Martinez (50).

Touchdowns (50 yards or more): Drake Martinez (19).

PATs: Robbie McInerny (152).

Kick Scoring Points: Robbie McInerny (167).

Kickoff Returns for Touchdown: Robert Clemons III (4).

Punt Returns for Touchdown: Robert Clemons III (5).

Interception Returns for Touchdown: Drake Martinez (4).

All Runbacks for Touchdown Robert Clemons III (10).

Team

Most Points Scored, Game: 74, vs. John Glenn, Sept. 13.

Most Points Scored, First Half: 56, vs. Calvary Chapel/Santa Ana, Oct. 19.

Highest Scoring Tie Game: 36-36, vs. University, Sept. 7.

Most Touchdowns on Runbacks: 5, vs. John Glenn, Sept. 13 (2 punt, 1 interception, 1 fumble).

Season

Most Games Played: 13.

Most Wins: 11.

Touchdowns on Interception Returns: 4.

Touchdowns on Punt Returns: 9.

Touchdowns on Kickoff Returns: 3.

[email protected]

Twitter: @MikeSciacca