Harrah freshman already filling brother’s shoes

HARRAH — Freshman running back Blaine Martin receives a lengthy text message before each game. It’s always from his older brother, and the message is the same. Do the job right. “It’s great having a big brother like that,” Martin said.

On Friday, Martin mirrored the performances his brother Grant delivered the past two years at Harrah, rushing for 263 yards and four touchdowns on 30 carries in a 41-16 rout of Cleveland.

The win comes at a good time for Harrah following an 0-3 start in non-district play with losses to Class 3A No. 1 Jones, Seminole and McLoud. Harrah hosts Bethany on Friday.

The Panthers used a rare bye week to regroup, even staying away from football the first few days of the week.

Then they turned to a familiar name.

“Probably the biggest story is Mr. Martin, Grant Martin’s little brother, a true freshman,” Harrah coach Phil Webb said. “He will be as good and he has the opportunity to be better than Grant. When you come watch him play, it’s just like Grant. They model each other. They walk alike. They look alike.” Grant was on

All-State team the past two seasons, rushing for a total of 5,132 yards and 69 TDs. He’s now at Central Oklahoma.

Blaine watched the past two years closely with the idea that he would have the same season or even better when he was a senior.

The thought of starting this season never crossed his mind. He’s starting at safety and running back.

“But my line blocked and I performed,” Martin said. “I just thought (Friday) if my linemen do good then I could stay behind them and take it to the house.”

Martin said he has the same speed as his brother, but a better ability to make cuts. He also said Grant agrees with that assessment. So far, it’s proving true. “He brings a lot of spirit, brings a lot of pride with that Martin name with what his older brother has done,” Webb said. “That’s pretty cool.”