Meridian never asked its QB to be a hero. He delivered a last-minute division title anyway
All season long, Meridian coach John Zamberlin told his quarterback he didn’t need to do it all.
He’s sure glad Zeke Martinez ditched that advice Thursday night.
The junior quarterback delivered the Warriors (5-2, 4-0 5A SIC Foothills) a come-from-behind, 28-24 win at Rocky Mountain, leading a 2-minute drill to clinch No. 4-ranked Meridian a spot in the 5A SIC conference championship game and a bye into the state quarterfinals.
“I’ve talked to him all year about staying within himself, not trying to do too much,” Zamberlin said. “I’m sure glad he didn’t listen on that play.”
Martinez threw the game-winning touchdown with 37 seconds left, finding Griffin Deere in the corner of the end zone for a 16-yard score on a wild play that will go down in Meridian lore.
A safety blitz forced him to escape to his right. Finding nothing open, he left two Rocky Mountain defensive linemen grasping at air as he scrambled back to his left. He then fired on the run across his body to Deere, who tapped both feet in bounds for the go-ahead touchdown.
“Zeke broke the scramble. From there, it was a broken play,” Meridian senior Rylie Byington said. “And Zeke is the best at those broken plays.”
Martinez finished the night 10-for-17 for 115 yards and that score, and he also ran for a TD and caught a touchdown pass. The Warriors rarely ask the 6-foot junior to carry the load or drop back 40 times a night. But they turned to him when they needed him most.
He went 4-for-7 for 63 yards on the game-winning drive, including a 31-yard strike to Byington on another third-down scramble. He also ran for a first down and accounted for all 65 yards on the game-winning drive.
Rocky Mountain (4-3, 3-1) appeared to deliver a back-breaking score when Taeshaun Reese broke loose for a 46-yard touchdown catch on fourth down. But the Grizzlies left 2:46 on the clock, more than enough time for Martinez and the Warriors.
“It really just shows the culture at Meridian,” Martinez said. “When they scored, we fully believed that we were going to go down and score. There was no doubt.”
The win was Meridian’s fifth straight and clinched the Warriors the 5A SIC Foothills Division title for the second straight year. The division crown ensured Meridian will get a chance to defend its conference title in two weeks against the winner of the River Division. It also clinched the Warriors a playoff berth and awarded them a first-round bye.
The reigning state runner-up started the season 0-2, losing to Eagle and Mountain View by a combined eight points. But the Warriors have righted the ship since then, proving the conference title still runs through Meridian.
“When we started the season, we were a green team in quite a few spots,” Zamberlin said. “But the good thing about being green is that you’re growing. We’re growing together, and we’re growing in the right direction.”
ROCKY MOUNTAIN LEADERS
The Grizzlies rotated through five different quarterbacks, including four on their first drive, to rack up 301 yards. Sophomore Collin Chapman led the group, going 10-for-12 for 143 yards and a touchdown.
Reese scored a pair of touchdowns, finishing with four touches for a combined 71 yards of offense. And Jeff Thompson ran for 64 yards, including a 46-yard touchdown on an option pitch from Trey Broadbent.
But the Grizzlies couldn’t get off the field on third down, allowing Meridian to convert on 10-of-13 attempts.
UP NEXT
Meridian wraps up its regular season by hosting Capital next Friday for senior night.
Rocky Mountain travels to face Timberline on Thursday at Dona Larsen Park.
This story was originally published October 5, 2023 at 11:13 PM.
