Kirk Elsworth can added another record to his growing list of accomplishments.
On the third play from scrimmage, the Goodrich senior running back scored on a five-yard touchdown run to become the all-time single season scoring leader in state history.
The Martians used that opening touchdown to propel themselves to a 42-7 win against visiting Livonia Clarenceville in their district opener Friday, Oct. 29.
Goodrich (9-1) takes on GAC Red Division rival Montrose (9-1) in the district final Nov. 5 at Montrose. Earlier in the season, the Martians handed the Rams their only loss of the season, defeating Montrose 47-26 in an October matchup.
Coach Tom Alward said the Martians will have their hands full trying to defeat the Rams a second time.
‘It’s difficult to beat a quality team twice in the same year,? he said. ‘We’ll have to play better than we did during the first game.?
Elsworth carried the ball 27 times for 217 yards and four touchdowns. He scored on a 35-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, and scored on runs of 10 and one yard in the third quarter.
He now has 332 points, breaking the old state single season record of 306 set by Clarenceville’s Tim Shaw in 2001.
Clarenceville (7-3) scored their only touchdown of the game 1:15 into the second quarter, when Bruno Shkreli scored on an eight-yard touchdown run to tie the contest.
However, later in the second, Goodrich’s Scott Edwards recovered an Elsworth fumble in the end zone to put the Martians up 14-7, and Goodrich never looked back.
Goodrich wrapped up the scoring with 9:07 left in the fourth quarter as Joe Leppek scored on a 12-yard touchdown run.
Alward said the Martians showed a great deal of toughness in defeating Clarenceville.
‘They came after us and caused us some problems,? he said. ‘Our kids had to dig down and come up with some answers. I was extremely proud of their grit and how they turned the game around.?
Quarterback Keith Brotherton completed 4-of-10 passes for 66 yards for the Martians. Mark Bourassa led the Goodrich defense with 18 tackles, while Andy Bohlen added 13.
Alward said Montrose will undoubtedly be looking for payback after the Martians? win earlier this year.
‘They’ll scheme to stop our run with Elsworth,? he said. ‘They’ll definitely try to slow us down and eliminate some of their mistakes from the previous game. I’m sure they’ll have some little surprises for us as well.?