The extra point is viewed by many as irrelevant in the sport of football. A simple “tap in” after a team scores a touchdown, the majority of fans turn their heads from the field, not watching the kicker strike the ball for the single point. Fans usually do have reason to not have much interest in the kick, as it is almost never missed at the high levels of the sport.
When senior running back Zacharie Derosier entered the endzone off of a five-yard run in a game against the Cranford Cougars, many fans did not bat an eye when number 31 ran onto the field with the rest of the special teams unit for the extra point attempt. What seemed like a negligible single point to cut the Cougars lead to 31 points, meant much more to a single player on the Scotch Plains-Fanwood football team.
What many spectators in the bleachers at Perry Tyson Field did not know about this extra point was that this was the moment kicker Colby Martin finally hurdled over the last obstacle in his battles with injuries. The last moment of fear, doubt and uncertainty, to finally reach the zenith of his comeback.
“I was so relieved when I was able to get back on the field and kick my first extra point,” Martin told The Fanscotian. “I had worked so hard in physical therapy to get back to this point and I felt such a rush of adrenaline when the ball went through the uprights.”
After reaggravating a hip injury on the opening kickoff of the inaugural game of the 2024 season against Monroe, Martin missed the next five weeks of the season, where the Raiders compiled a record of 2-3 with wins against New Brunswick and Iselin Kennedy.
“With the stands filled with Raider and La Famiglia pride (as Coach Fabs would say), I ran up to kick the ball and as I pulled my leg back, I heard a “pop” and my leg went lump,” Martin said.
What could have defined Martin’s freshman year, a hip injury, was used as fuel by the young player, and gave him inspiration to work to come back to put on the pads once again.
“This injury really tested my mental toughness, and as a kicker, I have to be mentally strong,” Martin said.
Martin showed all watching that he is more than a great kicker, but also a player with a strong work ethic. Special teams coach Marc Fabiano saw this determination once Martin sustained his hip injury, and fought to see the field once again.
“Colby’s work ethic is unmatched by other players on our team,” Fabiano said. “First game of the season, first kick, he suffers an injury. He’s upset, he’s frustrated, but the next day, he’s still at practice, ready to do what he can to help the program as he recovers on his own.”
It is uncommon to see a freshman step onto the field on a varsity team. With the masses of student-athletes trying out for most sports, the likelihood of a first-year student making the varsity team, let alone playing, is little to none.
Especially for a sport like football, where traits of physicality and toughness are needed, seeing a freshman on the varsity team is unusual. First year Colby Martin has broken these stereotypes completely, acquiring the starting kicker spot straight from the jump of his freshman year. This unusual spot is a testament to Martin as both a player and a person as a whole.
“[When Martin was injured] he didn’t miss a practice because he’s a team player, and he wants us to succeed even when he wasn’t [on the field],” Fabiano said.
One of the most overlooked positions on the gridiron, placekicker, can sometimes be the player who controls the destiny of a game (or season) with one single kick. While Martin has not been thrown into any strenuous situations throughout his freshman season, his story has its own version of unique twists and turns.
Martin first started kicking during middle school, and played in the Police Athletic League (PAL) as the kicker of the team. As much as Martin seems like a natural between the hashes, his skill did not come without hard work and dedication. Working with former Raider, and current University of Rochester kicker Kyle Brainard, Martin learned the basics of kicking and worked to become the virtuoso he is today.
“I used to play soccer but then I got very interested in watching football several years ago and wanted to be a part of a team,” Martin said. “I began training with a former SPF varsity kicker, Kyle Brainard, and immediately loved all aspects of kicking.”
Martin has been excellent so far for the Raiders in his four games, going 5/6 on extra points and 1/1 on field goals. SPF will be able to have Martin and his skills for three more seasons, and Fabiano has high expectations for what he can accomplish.
“[Martin’s] going to be, and I’m calling it now, one of the top kickers that Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School has ever had,” Fabiano said.
Only time will tell how Martin’s high school career unfolds, but he himself has the power to etch his name into Raider history. Martin is excited to see what the future holds for him at SPF, and is already looking forward to his future seasons.
“I look forward to continuing to get better both physically and mentally as I continue to develop as a kicker,” Martin said. “I look forward to continuing the tradition of Raider pride and camaraderie.”
