Walker Martinez (9) and the Anderson County Mavericks defeated the Pearl-Cohn Firebirds, 34-30, in the TSSAA Class 4A state championship game on Davenport Field at Finley Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022, in Chattanooga, Tennessee. (Photo by Danny Parker)
BY MIKE BLACKERBY
Davey Gillum trusted Walker Martinez perhaps like no other quarterback in Anderson County history.
That special coach-player relationship played a big part in carrying the Mavericks to 15 consecutive wins during the 2022 high school football season and the school’s first state championship in program history.
“Walker really hungered for information and we built things around his skill set,” said Gillum.
“Every week we had a different game plan, and he knew the game plan as well as me. He had the pieces around him with our receivers, running backs and our offensive line, but we’ve never put the pressure and responsibility on a kid like we did with Walker.”
Martinez, the 5Star Preps Offensive Player of the Year (2022), put up staggering numbers for the Mavericks, who edged Pearl-Cohn 34-30 in the state Class 4A championship game.
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The 6-foot, 180-pound senior, who will play in college for Carson-Newman, directed an Anderson County offense that scored 623 points and averaged 41.5 points a game.
He completed better than 70 percent of his passes, going 261 of 367 through the air for 4,078 yards.
Martinez threw 55 touchdown passes with only eight interceptions.
He ranked in the top 20 nationally in passing yards and touchdown passes.
Martinez said the countless hours that he put in working with Gillum paid huge dividends.
“For the last four years, I worked with him every day,” said Martinez.
“He gave me the confidence I needed that by the time something happens I’m ready for it. He gave me the confidence I needed to make every throw and lead,” continued Martinez.
“There’s really nothing that can replace what he has done for me, not only in football but as a man and the way I handle adversity. I’m thankful and I’ll never forget it.”
As remarkable as Martinez was with his game preparation, Gillum said he was even better with his on-the-field decision making.
Gillum said Martinez had the green light to check off plays on the biggest of stages, like the historic quarterfinal win over longtime nemesis Greeneville.
“Walker had complete freedom (to check off),” said Gillum.
“In a typical game there might be five to eight plays where he does it. I don’t know how many of his touchdown passes he threw were on plays that I didn’t call.”
Gillum said Martinez’s ability to process information in the pocket was special.
From there, Martinez let his talented arm do the rest.
He had an uncanny ability to deliver the ball to his talented receivers in the tightest of windows.
“In a tenth of a second Walker could already be on his fourth or fifth read,” said Gillum.
“He has a huge arm and he is as accurate as anybody I’ve ever seen.”
Following in the footsteps of all-time great Anderson County quarterbacks like Tanner Williams and Stanton Martin, Gillum said Martinez leaves a special legacy at the school’s tradition-rich position.
“By winning a state championship, Walker’s role in history was something at our school that no other quarterback has done,” said Gillum.
Martinez was quick to add that he had plenty of help.
“From our freshmen to the seniors we were a close-knit group,” said Martinez.
“I felt like we played for each other and were very senior led. To go 15-0 was the goal, but being able to actually do it was crazy. It was a testament to the guys on our team.”
But there’s no question that Martinez was the table setter for the historic runs by the Mavericks.
“He had some real moxie to him,” said Gillum.
“He did not flinch in the moment.”
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