2A SOUTHERN LEAGUE: Change at QB doesn’t faze Meadows

That’s mostly because quarterback Gerard Martinez had just capped a freshman season in which he threw for 33 touchdowns and was a first-team all-state selection.

But if the Mustangs are to enjoy another dynasty — they won five straight 2A titles from 1997 to 2001 — they’ll have to do it without Martinez.

Martinez transferred over the summer to Cimarron-Memorial because of hardship and a family disagreement with The Meadows, said his father, Gerard Martinez Sr.

Martinez Sr. said a conference call with the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association is scheduled for Monday to determine whether his son will be eligible for football or basketball at Cimarron.

Meanwhile, expectations remain high at The Meadows, which opens the season on its new artificial turf field Sept. 4 against Sunrise Mountain.

“It’s a shame we had to lose him,” Mustangs coach Frank DeSantis said of Martinez. “He’s a good player, a good kid.

“But we have to move on, and it is a program, and that’s one thing the kids understand. It’s not one person’s team or whatever; it’s a whole team concept.”

Sophomore Garrett Gosse will take over at quarterback. After serving last season as Martinez’s backup, he became a starting guard in basketball and pitcher in baseball.

“Garrett Gosse is a pretty good athlete,” said junior wide receiver Austin Brown, one of six returning starters on offense. “He’s able to pick up where (Martinez) left off, pretty much.

“We’re doing all right.”

Senior guard/nose tackle Andrew Duddlesten said the transition from Martinez to Gosse should go smoothly.

“We’re working in Garrett, but he knows the (spread) offense from last year,” he said. “I don’t think it’ll be a huge deal.

“It’s just everybody getting on the same page and going out and executing.”

The Meadows returns nine starters on defense, including standout ends Dylan Lee and Heath Gould along with linebacker Josh Ramist.

“I’m really excited,” said Lee, who also will play tight end and kicker. “At camp, we showed a lot of potential. We’re really confident with the people that are coming back this year.”

But even with 22 letterwinners returning from last season’s 11-2 team, The Meadows must replace its two biggest offensive weapons.

Along with Martinez transferring, Pat Kenny graduated after rushing for 22 touchdowns in 2008.

But DeSantis is encouraged by how much his returning players learned last year.

“I think we’re farther along than last year at this time,” he said. “The kids understand now what it takes.”