From hurdling, to catching, to leaping, junior Damon Martin of Kamehameha Schools Maui did it all. As a running back in the Maui Interscholastic League he not only led the league in rushing yards with a total of 819 yards on 110 carries, but was only 475 yards away from Alfred Failauga of Waipahu the number one Division II leading rusher in the state.

Excluding pre- and post- season, each football team plays eight games. Because the season goes by so quickly, Martin said he needed to present his abilities with every opportunity he was given.

“I do believe that my coaches gave me the opportunities that I needed in order to showcase my skills,” he said, but he also said that he couldn’t have done it without the entire team to support him.

“I donʻt believe that I alone was a huge impact,” he said.

Although he performed well on the field, itʻs off the field where he wishes he could have contributed more.

Next year, he wants to stop dwelling on his mistakes, and he said he should have “led by example on the sideline when I was faced with adversity.”

The Warriors finished the season 2-6 with both wins coming against King Kekaulike High School.

Martin was restricted to limited play in a game against Maui High School due to injury; however, it did not alter his motivation of becoming the leading rusher in the state.

He would often say how close he was to achieving this goal and how badly he wanted it.

Martin will be receiving a new set of lineman next year as most this season are seniors. He has one last high school football season at Kamehameha as he will be a senior next year, leaving him one last chance to not only be the MIL leading rusher again, but to also be leading rusher in the state. He and Warrior fans are eager to see how it will turn out.

Gallery • 3 Photos

Photo by courtesy of Mr. Mossman via Damon Martin

With only eight games played, Martin was second leading DII rusher in the state.