GREENSBORO — Jacoby Martin participated in an annual statewide football tradition with a new twist over the weekend.
The senior defensive end at Richmond Senior High School played in the North Carolina Coaches Association’s East-West All-Star Game on Saturday, the first time the showcase has been played in December.
In the 76th edition of the senior-only all-star game, Martin and the East team rolled to a 35-7 victory.
The game was played at Jamieson Stadium on the campus of Grimsley High School, a day sooner than scheduled due to weather.
The 28-point victory made it the second straight win for the East, following a 14-0 win in July.
The NCCA moved the game from the summer after graduation to December in hopes to allow more of the state’s top talents to participate.
Martin, who is a three-time All-Sandhills Athletic Conference selection for the Raiders, answered the call and played nose tackle when one of his teammates went down with the flu.
“I really liked getting to play nose tackle,” Martin said. “It was a little bit different but it was a lot of fun getting into the backfield to create a lot of pressure. We switched out every three or four plays and that kept the defense fresh.
“The hardest part of the week was initially getting everyone on the same page at practice, but the game was a lot of fun because we were really stacked,” he added. “Our chemistry ended up being really good and our defensive coordinator put a good game plan together to allow us to be successful.”
The East team took a 7-0 lead with 6:14 to go in the first quarter when Tyjhere Crudup (Laney) rushed in from four yards. The West team tied it up with just over a minute to go in the first.
Randall King (Northern Nash) gave the East squad the lead for good when he threw a 28-yard passing score to Isaiah Crumpler (Conley) midway through the second quarter. The East led 14-7 at the break.
Crudup scored his second rushing touchdown of the game, a 13-yard run, with 4:52 left in the third.
Javon Cowan (Triton), the game’s offensive MVP, added to the lead with the first of his two rushing scores. His 67-yard burst put the East up 28-7 heading into the final quarter.
In the closing two minutes of the game, Cowan scored another long touchdown run, this one a 48-yard house call.
“It feels great to end my career with a win,” Martin said. “And it’s definitely a blessing to get to represent Richmond one more time.”
During the few days ahead of the game, Martin and his teammates had a movie night and went bowling, which he said was his favorite part because of all the “team bonding.” Following the game, both teams met for the annual banquet.
Martin, who had a stellar senior season for the Raiders despite missing half the season with an Achilles injury, hopes the All-Star Game will open up more recruiting opportunities. Currently, he’s received a preferred walk-on spot at UNC Charlotte.
“I hope that playing in this game will let colleges know I haven’t missed a step coming back from my injury,” Martin closed. “I think it showed that I can play with the best of the best and that my injury didn’t really affect me.
“I’m talking to several other colleges right now and I think things will pick up a little bit more in January.”
