Le Grand star has grown from ball boy to Central California Conference small school MVP
Le Grand High junior Aaron Martinez grew up around the Bulldogs football program. His father, also named Aaron, and his uncle Rick Martinez were coaches leading the program.
The past two years, Aaron has been the starting quarterback for his father who has been the head coach.
“He started for me as a sophomore,” the elder Aaron Martinez said. “It’s been a different dynamic. He was a ball boy since he was 7 or 8 years old. Him playing for me has been awesome. I get to see him at practice every day and we get to hang out.”
The relationship has been a success on the field as the Bulldogs went 3-1 in the Central California Conference small school division.
The CCC coaches selected Aaron Martinez as the conference Most Valuable Player.
The Bulldogs junior completed 68 of 113 passes for 772 yards and six touchdowns in five games. He also rushed for another score.
The Martinezes are one of three father-son, quarterback-head coaching duos in Merced County, joining Trent and Rob Calvert in Dos Palso and Seth and Rob Scheidt at Merced High.
It’s been successful for all three father-son duos as Trent Calvert has broke the Dos Palos career passing yards and touchdowns records and Seth Scheidt was named the MVP for the CCC large schools division this spring.
“Aaron just checks a lot of boxes,” his dad said. “He’s early to every thing, he runs the chat to keeping all the guys informed, he keeps everyone accountable. He’s a weight room guy, he runs the weights, he’s a captain. He just wears it. He been around so long following his dad around.”
The other top awards went to Gustine receiver Trenton Cremeen as the Best Offensive Player after hauling in 20 receptions for 376 yards and nine touchdowns. Livingston’s Anthony Aguilar was named the Best Defensive Player and Le Grand’s Hector Velazco was picked as the Lineman of the Year.
The all-CCC first-team selections on offense include linemen Velazco, Fermin Vluegas (Le Grand), Jesus Marmolejo (Delhi), Alex Casillas (Livingston), Abram Nisse (Livingston) and Mathew Barba (El Capitan), running backs Angel Ramirez (Delhi), Malachy Harts (El Capitan), quarterback Martinez, John Martin (Gustine), receivers Cremeen, Derric Harris (El Capitan), Christian Aguilar (Livingston) and tight end Mateo Galichio (Gustine).
The defensive first-team selections were linemen Velazco, Chhristian Garcia (Gustine), Hugo Prade (Delhi), Jairo Hernandez (Livingston), Cameron McClusky (Le Grand), defensve end/outside linebacker Gemini Lopez (Le Grand), Danny Hernandez (Gustine), inside linebackers Aguilar, Daimien Manzo (El Capitan), Galichio (Gustine), defensive backs Cremeen, Landan Vue (El Capitan), Danny Cruz (Livingston), Joel Arreola (Delhi), kicker Hernandez and punter Desmond Moreno-Pimentel (Livingston).
The second-team offense selections were linemen Andre Rasberry (Livingston), Kacy Saetern (El Capitan), Hugo Zaragoza (El Capitan), Jesus Aguilar (Delhi), running back Lopez, quarterback Rocklin Baptista (Livingston), receivers Cruz, Carlos Martinez (Le Grand) and tight end Mario Mancia (El Capitan).
The second-team defensive picks were linemen Barba, Adrian Perez (Livingston), Luis Hernandez (Delhi), defensive end/outside linebackers Emilio Naranjo (Livingston), Aremonte Barnett (El Capitan), inside linebackers Alejandro Sanchez (Delhi), Joshua Maldonado (Le Grand), defensive backs Gio Torres (Gustine) and Brian Haro (Livingston).
