Linebacker battles more than opponents

Rick Devereux

The year season started off on the wrong foot for the Newport Harbor

High football team.

Projected starting running back Ryan Rippon tore the medial

collateral ligament in his right knee during the summer and sat out

the first six games.

Projected starting outside linebacker Taylor Young broke his foot

playing basketball and participated in all summer workouts in a

protected boot and did not see his first action until the third game.

And then there is middle linebacker Thomas Martin. While the other

injuries are sports related, Martin was sidelined the first two games

with what was described as a stomach ailment. In truth, Martin had an

ulcer.

“I had stomach pains and a burning sensation in my belly-button,”

Martin said. “For about three or four months I would wake up in the

morning and vomit stomach bile. It wasn’t a lot, but the acid burnt

was tearing a hole in my intestines.”

With Martin out, outside linebacker Trevor Theriot moved to inside

to start the season.

“Trevor’s one of my best friends and he filled in great, but that

was my position he was playing,” Martin said. “It ate me up thinking

someone else was playing my position.”

Martin made a speedy recovery, which was surprising considering

doctors told him he may need surgery. But he was in the lineup for

the third game of the year, the Battle of the Bay against rival

Corona del Mar.

“I was a little hesitant at first,” Martin said. “I was trying to

protect my stomach because I didn’t want to get hit, but it got to

the point in the game where I couldn’t think about myself anymore. I

needed to think about my team.”

The Sailors made a dramatic comeback, scoring twice in the final

3:27 to win, 21-17.

“How could I look myself in the mirror or walk into school the

next day if we lost?” Martin said.

Martin regained his middle linebacker job immediately, pushing

Theriot back to the outside. But it was Martin who had to fill in for

Theriot the following two games when Theriot dislocated his left

elbow in the fourth quarter against the Sea Kings.

Martin became the starting running back, gaining more than 100

rushing yards in each game. Martin still sees some action at running

back despite Theriot’s recovery and Rippon back at full strength.

“I like playing running back because all eyes are on me,” Martin

said. “I think playing middle linebacker helps me as a running back

because I know what the defensive front seven is doing and what they

are looking for. If I see a linebacker over-pursue, I will cut back.

I try to run like I’m playing defense, except I’m not trying to wrap

up and tackle someone. Instead, I’m tying to run them over.”

Martin said playing offense is a “treat,” but defense is where his

passion lies.

“I love the battles on defense,” he said. “At any moment a game

can turn because the defense forced a three-and-out. I love seeing

our offense go down and score while their offense is sitting on the

sideline.”

Martin led the Newport Harbor defense to multiple stops in the,

35-0, shutout over Irvine Saturday. He also carried the ball four

times for 56 yards to earn Daily Pilot Athlete of the Week honors.

“I don’t take anything for granted anymore,” Martin said. “You

could be out of the lineup tomorrow, so you better play as hard as

you can today.”