Eagles’ Riley Martinez poised to rebound after seeing breakout season interrupted
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Riley Martinez put up impressive passing numbers for Exeter last season: He matched a program record with five touchdown passes in a game, had a 16-to-3 touchdowns-to-interceptions ratio, and was leading the Lancaster-Lebanon League in passing efficiency halfway through the season.
That dream season turned into a nightmare when the junior quarterback went down with a lower leg injury in Week 7 against Muhlenberg.
The Eagles kept winning without him, matching the program record with 12 wins, but Martinez was on crutches for much of that.
“Jake (Hafer) did a great job filling my spot,” said Martinez, “but it was obviously tough seeing my team try to get as far as they could and me being on the sideline watching.”
| Exeter career passing | ||
| Brandon Unterkoefler | 3,775 | 2014-17 |
| Kyle Yocum | 3,715 | 2009-12 |
| Gavin McCusker | 3,416 | 2018-20 |
| Colin Payne | 2,868 | 2018-21 |
| Riley Martinez | 2,412 | 2023-25 |
| Chase Yocum | 2,353 | 2012-14 |
| Rod Sarlat | 2,345 | 1989-91 |
Martinez returned to the field for one play in the District 3 Class 5A semifinals against Conestoga Valley and threw a touchdown. He came off the bench the following week in the championship game against Bishop McDevitt and ended his season with a 73-yard touchdown to Jayden Ware, but the game was well out of hand by that point.
Martinez ended up completing nearly 63 percent of his passes and threw for over 1,000 yards, but that was just a fraction of what he could’ve produced had he been on the field more. He attempted only 86 passes.
In the early weeks of the season he rarely played more than a half because the Eagles were so far ahead. Then he missed all of five games and parts of two others because of the injury.
“It was heartbreaking to see what he went through,” said Exeter coach Matt Bauer. “It was tough seeing a kid who probably should’ve been a captain last year to have sit through that. He was poised to have such a breakout season.”
If anything, the experience has only made Martinez more determined to get back out there and do better. He spent his offseason working in the weight room to add strength – he’s up nearly 20 pounds, to 203 – and training with quarterback specialists to improve his overall game.
He attended the Chad Henne-Jim Cantafio Prep Elite workouts throughout the winter and early spring, has had individual sessions with Henne, trained with Drew Allar’s personal coach, Ohio QBs guru Brad Maendler, and has attended prospect camps at Lehigh, Monmouth, and Old Dominion this month.
“I’ve been to just about every trainer I can, just to get better,” Martinez said. “I’ve been trying to get my arm strength up. I couldn’t make some of the throws last year, but now I’m making sure I can every single throw.”
Martinez looked sharp last week during Wilson’s annual 7-on-7 showcase. The ball’s coming out of his hand faster and more accurately than ever before.
“That comes from constant repetitions,” said Bauer, “and just being more comfortable in the offense. He’s going to be one of the few three-year starters I’ve had. We’re hoping to open some things up around him and let him have more freedom this year.”
Martinez was pretty much kept under wraps as a sophomore, when he started every game and threw for 1,396 yards and 17 TDs. He had full grasp of the offense last year and expects to be even better this season.
“(I’ve been working on) getting my throws on time, making sure I’m hitting my receivers in rhythm. Not missing any reads. Mostly the mental game: Knowing where the protection’s supposed to go. Being a third-year starter, the games are going to slow down (for me). We’re gonna get faster reads, faster progressions.”
Bauer wants to put even more on his plate. Martinez’s added size and improved speed (aided by competing in the 100 during track season) could make him a dual-threat out of the backfield.
“We’re hoping he’ll be more of a running threat,” Bauer said. “He’s making very good decisions (in the pocket) and he’s extending things with his legs, which we’re excited about.”
Martinez needs just 1,364 yards to become Exeter’s all-time passing leader. He’s eight TD passes away from the program record. He could become the first Eagles passer to record three 1,000-yard seasons.
His focus, he said, is not on stats or setting records.
“I’m trying to win – win a district championship,” he said, “that’s all that’s on my mind.”