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Martinez, Freiermuth lead Brooks to big win over Groton

Friday, November, 06 By By Mac Cerullo

NORTH ANDOVER - Senior Jalen Martinez of Methuen rushed for 194 yards and two touchdowns as Brooks dominated Groton by a score of 42-6 on Senior Day.
Brooks scored twice in the first and second quarters to take a 28-0 lead going into halftime, and with the exception of one big Groton touchdown run in the third, prevented the opposition from ever coming close to the end zone.
"Jalen Martinez had a great game running the ball," said Brooks coach Pat Foley. "He runs hard and he has the ability to break some long ones, which has helped us get out of some holes, and I'm pleased with the way we threw the ball.
"We haven't thrown the ball a ton. That's kind of by design because we have a good running game, but I was pleased with the way Jake Hesse came out and threw the ball and made good decisions and got the ball to people."
Hesse got Brooks on the board early with an 11-yard touchdown pass to Tamenang Choh on the game's opening drive. On Groton's first possession Brooks pulled further ahead after Pentucket transfer Pat Freiermuth recovered a fumble and took it 42 yards to the house to make it 14-0.
From that point on, Martinez dominated the Groton defense, scoring each of his two touchdowns in the second quarter from 1 and 16 yards, respectively.
In the second half, Brooks began utilizing Jaylen Cromwell more, and he came through with 48 yards and two touchdowns on six carries. His first score came early in the third quarter on a 13-yard scamper, and the second came with 10:19 to play in the fourth from 15-yards out to wrap up the scoring.
Good as the offense was, the defense may have been the biggest star, and Freiermuth in particular. On the drive following his fumble return TD, Freiermuth blew up his blocker to record a sack for a 12-yard loss, and then shortly after he reeled in a one-handed interception near midfield to give Brooks a short field.
Freiermuth, who is repeating his sophomore year, also had a 22-yard catch. Foley said Freiermuth, who is his nephew, has done a nice job adjusting.
"I think it's been great for him," Foley said. "He played some quarterback last year and he's playing probably a more natural position for him as a tight end. It's been nice for us because he's a big physical blocker. He's been able to help our run game a lot, and he catches pretty much anything around him."
Brooks, 5-2, is at Lawrence Academy next Saturday at 2:30 p.m.