Mart rolls to second consecutive state title behind Horne, explosive offense

Gruver showed it had the ability to play from behind after rallying from an early deficit to knock off Albany in the state semifinals last week. But replicating such a feat against Mart proved to be too tall of a task for the Greyhounds, who quickly fell behind 20-0 less than four minutes into the first quarter Wednesday night in the Class 2A Division II title game.

The Panthers scored touchdowns on three of their first six offensive plays and never took their foot off the gas, rolling up 545 yards of total offense while steamrolling Gruver in a 76-33 finish to claim their second consecutive state title.

“It feels amazing,” Mart coach Kevin Hoffman said. “This team worked for this ever since winning the state championship last year. It was one of the goals this team had – they worked all spring, all summer and all two-a-days. It’s all paid off, and it’s an amazing feelingto do something in the storied history of Mart football that nobody’s been able to do.

“It’s been done now, so we feel wonderful.”

Tyrek Horne put on a record-setting display in the win for Mart, finishing with 12 carries for 291 yards and seven touchdowns to set the new record for both rushing touchdowns and yardage in a 2A title game. 

Horne had eight carries for 228 yards and six touchdowns in the first half alone, including a 38-yard score with less than a minute left in the second quarter to make it 63-12 at the break.

His performance helped Mart post a new record for points scored in an 11-man state championship game, breaking the previous record of 70 set by Stephenville (2012) and Cameron Yoe (2014). 

The night was even more meaningful for Horne after he finished without a rushing touchdown in last year’s championship game. That thought was on Hoffman’s mind when he made the decision to put the senior back into the game in the fourth quarter, allowing him to pursue the yardage record. 

“I had a chip on my shoulder coming into this game because I didn’t score last year,” Horne said. “It means a lot – it’s my last year, so I had to go out with a bang.”

As Horne began to heat up, Gruver showed brief signs of life after fumbling, punting and throwing an interception on its first three possessions. The Greyhounds got into the end zone for the first time thanks to a 10-play, 75-yard drive that was capped off by a 2-yard run from Jalin Conyers.

Horne broke off a 59-yard touchdown on the first play of Mart’s ensuing offensive possession, but Gruver was unfazed and quickly put together another 75-yard scoring drive as Keegan Kelp connected with Conyers from 42 yards out to make it 27-12 with 11:50 remaining in the second. 

But the Mart defense forced two consecutive interceptions – both from Jacob Ybarra, who was the Defensive Player of the Game – and a pair of punts to end the half. The Panthers’ offense then rattled off 36 unanswered points to close the second quarter.

Conyers, who played quarterback at Stinnett West Texas last season, was the lone bright spot for the Gruver offense in the loss. The junior finished with a game-high 12 catches for 224 yards and three touchdowns.  

“He’s the athlete we knew he was,” Gruver coach Terry Felderhoff said. “Creed Spivery was our leading receiver through the regular season, and when he broke his leg in the bi-district game Jalin really stepped it up.” 

— Brady Keane

VIDEO RECAP

Gast provides inspiration for Mart following health scare

Tyrek Horne rushed for 291 yards and seven touchdowns in Mart’s record-setting win over Gruver Wednesday night to claim its second consecutive state championship.

Junior backup quarterback Aiden Gast didn’t record a single stat, but his presence on the Mart sideline was astronomical.

As it turns out, Gast was a huge inspiration to Horne and all of his teammates after a scary incident during Monday’s final practice leading up to the final game of the year.

Gast collapsed and was revived by members of the Mart coaching staff. He was released from the hospital and allowed to travel to Arlington with the team.

“It was very important to have him here,” Horne said, following his record-setting performance. “I told him I was gonna score five for him. I was fortunate to score more than five for him.”

Gast had a prime seat for the game on the Mart sideline, sporting his state championship ring from last year and his jersey with jeans. Under that jersey was the heart monitor he’s wearing as he awaits further evaluation in a week or two at a Temple hospital.

“They haven’t told me what it is yet,” Gast said. “They’re not sure exactly what it is. But something’s not right, and we’re gonna find out what it is so they can get it fixed and I can come back out here next year and play with my brothers.”

Mart coach Kevin Hoffman said what his team went through just two days before the biggest game of the year was beyond any adversity that could be presented in the game of football.

“What happened to us on Monday, it was very scary,” he said. “I have a great staff and they stepped up and took care of what needed to be taken care of.”

Gast said he’s thankful for his coaches, who intervened and possibly saved his life.

“I couldn’t have been in a better place,” Gast said. “My coaches are trained to do that. I’m proud and happy that they’re my coaches. Without them, I don’t know what would have happened.

“I’m just glad I’m still here. I’m glad I got to come to the game. I give all glory to God that I got to live another day. I was so happy to be out here with my teammates and my brothers. They deserve this one. All the coaches do, too.”

— Adam Boedeker

BOX SCORE

Mart 76, Gruver 33

Mart	27	36	7	6	-	76
Gruver	6	6	7	14	-	33

Scoring Summary

1st Qtr. 10:55 

Mart – Tyrek Horne 16-yard run (Elijah Green kick)

1st Qtr. 8:44

Mart – Roddrell Freeman 4-yard run (Green kick)

1st Qtr. 7:17

Mart – Horne 3-yard run (Green kick)

1st Qtr. 3:20 

Gruver – Jalin Conyers 2-yard run (2-point failed)

1st Qtr. 3:09

Mart – Horne 59-yard run (Green kick)

2nd Qtr. 11:50

Gruver – Conyers 42-yard pas from Keegan Kelp (2-point failed)

2nd Qtr. 8:58

Mart – Freeman 30-yard run (Kick failed)

2nd Qtr. 7:09 

Mart – Horne 44-yard run (Freeman 2-point rush)

2nd Qtr. 4:56

Mart – Shatydrick Bailey 3-yard run (Freeman 2-point rush)

2nd Qtr. 3:16

Mart – Horne 52-yard run (Green kick)

2nd Qtr. 0:52

Mart – Horne 38-yard run (Green kick)

3rd Qtr. 10:02

Mart – Horne 21-yard run (Green kick)

3rd Qtr. 5:59 

Gruver –Conyers 19-yard pass from Kelp (Rudy Acosta kick)

4th Qtr. 1:56

Mart – Keishawn Clater 22-yard run (2-point failed)

4th Qtr. 0:47

Gruver – 37-yard pass from Kelp (Acosta kick)

4th Qtr. 0:13

Gruver – Fernando Valdez 3-yard run (Acosta kick)

Team Stats

	Mart	Gruver
First downs	21	17
Rushing yards	37 – 510	31 – 49
Passing yards	45	319
Passing	5-6-0	21-35-3
Punts – Avg.	--	3 – 33.3
Penalties – Yards	6 – 60	4 – 39
Fumbles – Lost	1 – 1	2 – 1
Third-Down Conversions	2-of-4	3-of-12
Possession Time	19:01	28:46

Mart Individual Leaders

Rushing – Tyrek Horne 12-291, Shatydrick Bailey 7-130, Roddrell Freeman 7-58, Keishawn Clater 1-22, Klyderion Campbell 5-22, Da’Marion Medlock 3-8, TEAM 2-(-21). 

Passing – Roddrell Freeman 5-6-0-45. 

Receiving – Anthony Sauceda 3-25, Shatydrick Bailey 2-20. 

Gruver Individual Leaders

Rushing –Connor Haynes 11-25, Fernando Valdez 3-14, Creed Callaway 5-12, Brice McLaughlin 4-9, Jalin Conyers 4-7, Keegan Kelp 4-(-18). 

Passing – Keegan Kelp 21-35-3-319. 

Receiving – Jaylin Conyers 12-224, Connor Haynes 4-11, Creed Spivey 2-56, Hunter Haynes 2-17, Matthew Felderhoff 1-11.