BY SCOTT
HADDOW
The St. Benedict Bears senior boys' football team is family to
Joey Martellacci.
The explosive and exploitive tailback of the Bears offence
takes a lot of pride in going to war with his teammates and
coaches each week.
He respects them and they respect him. It's crystal clear how
much Martellacci means to the club when they all come rumbling
into a classroom where he's being interviewed and immediately
swarm him.
Some players razz him like a brother, some even give him a hug.
There's a wide smile on Martellacci's face. He soaks it all in.
There's no other place he would rather be than with the boys,
his brothers.
Martellacci was an uncontrollable wrecking ball this season on
offence. He torched opposing defences for 18 touchdowns in just
five games, while rumbling for over 1,100 yards.
It all started with the offensive line. They operated all
season with surgical precision, tearing open huge wounds in
enemy defences for Martellacci to barge through.
Martellacci used super sonic speed to blow by defenders as if
they were standing still like deeply rooted trees.
If he couldn't to it with speed, Martellacci did it with brute
force by literally running over foes, stomping them right into
the ground on the way into the end zone.
In short, Martellacci and his brothers put on an offensive
clinic every game, leaving opponents frustrated and shocked.
Martellacci's talents aren't just limited to the gridiron. He's
also an accomplished soccer player. He suits up for the high
school senior varsity squad in the spring. Last year, he scored
four goals in four games to help St. Benedict go 5-1 and take
first place in the city standings.
He loves soccer just as much as he loves football. He can't get
enough of either.
Martellacci is in Grade 11 at St. Benedict. At just 16, he's
already become one of the school's most accomplished and
inspiring athletes. When not scoring highlight reel touchdowns
and goals in football and soccer, Martellacci waits impatiently
for snow so he can indulge in his other favourite recreational
love, snowboarding.
Martellacci took time out to talk to Northern Life reporter
Scott Haddow about football, soccer and what athletics mean to
him.
SH: What's your motivation and drive for this school year?
JM: To compete in football and soccer, giving my best, and
trying to make a name for myself. So far, with football, it's
been working but I still have a ways to go. I definitely want
to win a city championship in both football and soccer...that's
my motivation.
SH: How far do you want to go in sports?
JM: I'm only in Grade 11, so I am just focusing on playing my
best right now. I'm just thinking about the present day and
keeping everything in my reach. I'm working hard to keep my
marks up and balancing school and sports. Maybe in the future a
scholarship will come up, I don't know.
SH: When competing, what gives you the biggest thrill?
JM: Making big plays at key moments of games. I love playing in
front of opposing crowds and silencing them with a big play. I
like to prove our school can compete with any other school in
Sudbury and we're for real.
SH: What really stands out about your teammates and the
team?
JM: The guys are my family on and off the field. We all get
along together so well. Everyone - defence, offence and special
teams - can step up anytime and they all know how to rise to
the occasion when a big play is needed. I give my teammates
tonnes of credit for my season. Without them doing their jobs,
I wouldn't be able to do mine. My offensive line is
amazing...they make great blocks and allow me to run the ball.
If it wasn't for my teammates, I wouldn't have had the season I
did. I'm proud of my teammates.
SH: What really ignites your competitive fires and gets them
raging furiously?
JM: Going out and competing with my teammates. Just getting on
the field is an incredible feeling. We're all really close and
I love winning with them. When we get the job, and we get to
celebrate, it's just a great bonus.
SH: What role did you want on the football team and with the
soccer team?
JM: To be a go-to-guy in all situations. I want to be an impact
player on both teams. I want to make the hard plays and help my
teams win.
SH: What do you thrive on most in games?
JM: The big crowds. I really like the atmosphere when there's
1,000 people cheering and screaming. We played Lockerby one
game and had 1,000 people attend. It got me motivated big time.
I thrived on scoring in the end zone where there were a lot of
Lockerby fans. Silencing that many people is one of the
greatest feelings.
SH: You scored an astonishing 18 touchdowns in just five
regular season games. What did that mean to you?
JM: It meant a lot. I was proud of myself. I can't take all the
credit as my offensive line was the reason for my success. They
all stepped up big time. The holes were always there for me. It
means nothing in the playoffs though. I played a back up role
last year and scored nine touchdowns. I had a lot more playing
time this season and I'm glad I made the most of the
opportunity. I knew I had the potential to come up with big
plays and be an impact player and help my team win games. It
feels good that it happened. I've been trying hard everyday and
will keep trying hard everyday.
SH: After winning the city title last season, many thought
the Bears would be rebuilding and didn't give you guys a
snowball's chance in hell this year. How did the team go 5-0 in
the regular season again?
JM: The young guys learned a lot last year from the veterans.
They knew what they had to do this year and filled in the depth
chart. It was a total team effort for our success. We went
through adversity and came out with wins.
SH: What did you want to prove this year?
JM: That last season's football championship wasn't a fluke and
we can repeat. I also want to help the soccer team have a good
season. I want to show people we're solid in both sports and
that we have a great program here at St. Benedict.
SH: Who's the greatest influence in your life?
JM: My parents, Luigi and Rebecca, and my grandparents, Ray and
Maureen Howard. Since I was four, they've always been there for
me, picking me up after school and driving me to practices
across town. They've supported me in everything I do. They come
and watch me play. I use it as extra motivation, to show them
what I can do. I really like trying to make my grandfather
proud because he comes to almost every game and he's been so
supportive.
SH: Being a part of St. Benedict athletics, what has that
done for you in your life?
JM: I've learned about teamwork and how much can get
accomplished when everyone is working together. I've been proud
to wear blue (the school's colours) and support my school in
anyway possible. I have a lot of pride in the school. It rouses
a feeling of something truly meaningful. Every time I compete,
I want to repay the school for everything its done for me by
doing my best. We have great support here...the fans are
unreal. We have the best fan base in Sudbury and it's always a
thrill to play in front of them. The expectations are always
high and we love trying to meet them.
SH: How have sports changed your life?
JM: It's given me strong character traits and leadership
skills. Stuff I can carry with me my whole life. Sports has
helped me build friendships for life.
