CANTON- Winning 300 games as a coach in any sport is quite an accomplishment. Winning 300 games in football is rare air.
Jack Martinelli is in exclusive company becoming just the seventh coach in state history to accomplish the feat after the Warriors beat Canton 35-0 on Friday night.
The Warriors got off to a slow start early offensively but managed to score right before the end of the first quarter when Junior Quarterback Mike Marcucella hit fellow junior Nolan Gordon on a 29 yard touchdown pass to give Foxboro a 7-0 lead after one.
The Warriors would blow the game open in the second quarter however thanks to their special teams and big plays. Foxboro blocked two Canton punts. Both were returned for touchdowns by Senior Brandon Mazenkas-O’Grady. Youth would be served as well as sophomore running back Ryan Foley would score on an 82 yard touchdown pass and 51 yard touchdown run. The Warriors would go into the break comfortably ahead, 35-0.
The night belonged to Coach Martinelli however. Despite being the center of attention after the game, Martinelli talked about former and current players as the reason he achieved this historic milestone.
“It’s about the kids. A lot of kids put 300 wins together out there. It’s a kid business. Once it isn’t, it’s to pick leaves or something.” Martinelli added: “As long as the kids respond, I’d like to do it forever.”
Martinelli has done it forever. This is his 42nd season at the helm of the Warriors. With tonight’s win, he now has a record of 300-139-5 record. He becomes only the fourthcoach in state history to win 300 or more games at one school.
Martinelli’s resume speaks for itself. The Warriors have won 12 Hockomock titles and four Super Bowl titles (1987, 1988, 1991, and 2006) during his tenure.
Wes Burhoe played for Martinelli and now coaches for him. Burhoe says that he wanted to grow up and be like his coach.
“Basically, I played for him when I was 17 and coached for him when I was 40. I always hoped I’d grow up to be like him. Burhoe added: “He deserve every accolade that comes his way. He is Foxboro Football.”
Generations of players like Burhoe feel the same way about Martinelli. John McGowan was Martinelli’s first quarterback and captain in 1982. When asked about Martinelli, McGowan simply said “I love the man.”
Martinelli’s son Brian has been coaching with his father since 2005. Brian is a chip off the old block in many ways and said it best after the game when reflecting on his father’s accomplishment.
“He always told me, I will continue to coach until the kids send the message that it’s time for me to go.” Martinelli continued: “Based on the effort tonight, last week, this season and the 40 years I’ve witnessed him doing this, something tells me that message isn’t ever going to happen”
Based on Friday night’s performance and the reaction of the players after the game, it is safe to say Coach Martinelli still connects with his players as good as anyone.