For the second season in a row, about the only time Vincent Martinez comes off the playing field is at half-time and when the game ends. The Woodrow Wilson senior is starting again at halfback and cornerback in 1993.

And this year, he figures to be even better at it.

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“Vincent is a lot stronger than he was last year,” says offensive coordinator Ron Elliott. “He’s a slashing type runner with quick feet and an excellent spin move like Ricky Watters with the 49ers. We’ll try to get the ball in his hands a lot this season.”

In 1993, the Woodrow trio of quarterback Mac Hill, burly fullback Felix Brown and Martinez are expected to give opposing defenses fits. Martinez is quick to give credit to his offensive line.

The 18-year-old Martinez will be counted on to set up in a variety of places in the backfield to take advantage of his many offensive skills. In evidence are his team-leading four catches for 87 yards in the first game – a 40-6 victory over Naaman Forest.

One of the receptions was a key 20-yard touchdown pass in the triumph, in which the Wildcats scored more points than they had in any game last season.

Martinez is confident about his team’s chances for success in this year.

“I feel that we’re a lot like the 1991 team that won the district championship,” he says. “We have a lot of talent and good team chemistry. We can definitely make the playoffs if we stick together like we did against Naaman Forest.”

Over the summer, Martinez lived in Arizona, where he rode horses and went on the “Herschel Walker program” of pushups and sit-ups.

“After working out in Arizona in all that heat, I felt like I was in good shape for practice this August,” Martinez says.

The 5-11, 175-pound senior has specialized in the same two positions since he first put on pads for J.L. Long Junior High as a bony seventh-grader. Although he prefers offense, his defensive skills are impressive as well.

Martinez, who bench presses 230 pounds and has 4.7 forty speed, thinks that playing football for Woodrow Wilson is something special.

“First of all, I just love playing football, it’s what I’ve always wanted to do since I was a kid,” Martinez says.

“The coaches treat you very well here, with an attitude of respect. It’s a special place to play football with all the tradition here. And winning, that feeling is really a rush.”