Hounds open 2022 campaign against Highlands

PORTALES — Kason Martin may have dropped down a couple of levels in the NCAA, but he’s looking forward to getting a chance to start at quarterback when Eastern New Mexico University opens its 2022 campaign under second-year coach Tye Hiatt on Thursday night at New Mexico Highlands.

A fifth-year junior out of Manvel, Texas, the 6-foot-3, 218-pound Martin spent four seasons at Football Bowl Subdivision (Division I-A) member North Texas, redshirting the first year and gaining an extra year in 2020 due to COVID. Already married and in graduate school, he has two years of eligibility left.

He said he began looking around when it became obvious his opportunities at UNT might be limited.

“I’d been second string, third string for four years,” Martin said. “When I went into the transfer portal, I was just looking for a place I could play.

“Me and coach Hiatt talked a lot over the phone before I came.”

ENMU is looking to improve on a 4-7 record last season, including 1-6 in the Lone Star Conference. The LSC lost Texas A&M-Commerce to the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision, but gained three teams from the Great Northwest Athletic Conference in Central Washington, Western Oregon and Simon Fraser (B.C.).

Hiatt said the Hounds have a good mix of newcomers and returnees.

“We have 65 kids back, and that always helps,” Hiatt said. “I think we’re going to be a lot more competitive. I think we’ve recruited well, and a lot of these kids have bought into what we’re doing.”

With his previous experience, Martin figures to give them some stability. He’s looking forward to the challenge.

“It’ll be fun,” he said. “It’s been a while since I played a football game, but it’s going to be fun getting back in the swing of it.”

He is friends with ENMU sophomore linebacker Beau Burns, noting that their fathers had coached high school football together at one point in Texas.

“He came here and played as a freshman,” Martin said. “He loved it, and he loved the coaching staff.”

ENMU brings back five fulltime starters on offense and eight on defense.

“The biggest thing for us is we’ve got to play fundamental football,” Hiatt said. “I feel like last year there were games where we beat ourselves, either with turnovers or giving up explosive plays on defense.”

The offensive line has two returning starters in junior left tackle Hunter St. John of Clovis and sophomore center Brock Thetford. The rest of the line has junior Brandon Cason at left guard, freshman Christian Griego at right guard and junior Sam Piotraschke at right tackle.

Running back duties will be split by returnees Isaiah Tate, a junior, and Howard Russell, a sophomore. Senior Bryzai White is a returning starter at tight end, while junior Asa Wondeh and sophomore Tyree Cherry are the top wide-outs.

Martin said he’s still working to learn the system.

“We’ve got a full playbook installed,” he said. “It’s much better to have things installed. I think we’re ready.”

Defensively, all four starters return with Finau, sophomore defensive end Justin Brewer, junior nose guard Kevin McCracken and senior tackle Rapi Sotoa.

“I think we have a chance to be very good on the defensive line,” Hiatt said. “They play extremely hard and fast. Their best attribute is they play with a high motor.”

As fifth-year seniors, Finau said he, Sotoa and McCracken have designs on a much better season than a year ago on that side of the ball. Finau and Sotoa are both from Anchorage, Alaska.

“For us three, it’s just about finishing it off (well),” Finau said. “We just want to enjoy our last ride and be able to pass some insight down to the younger guys.”

Burns and fellow sophomore Khalil Whitaker are returning starters at linebacker, and will be joined by junior Tim Jones, a junior college transfer. In the secondary, sophomore Tre Hubert and junior Lino Odenat at cornerback and sophomore Cameron Santa Cruz of Eunice at free safety are all returning starters, while junior strong safety Zerrian Meander got some starts last season.

Finau said he likes the changes made this season by new defensive co-ordinator Jamison Bisch.

“It’s more of a culture thing for us,” Finau said. “Last year, we weren’t as (close-knit) as we needed to be.

“We have guys who’ve already played, and that’s definitely going to give us a confidence boost.”

Sophomore placekicker Cooper Hamilton and sophomore punter Cage White return. The long snapper is sophomore Campbell Keithey.

“Cage is very good,” Hiatt said, “and I think Cooper has a chance to be one of the best in the conference.”

ENMU’s only other non-conference game is on Sept. 17 at former LSC member Tarleton State, which is in its second year at the Football Championship Subdivision (Division I-AA) level.

The LSC itself is a challenge for ENMU, trying to recruit against schools who often have more money to spend and better facilities.

“It definitely is, but it’s been proven that we can beat these schools,” Hiatt said. “Angelo (State) will really good, and obviously (defending LSC champion) Midwestern (State). But I don’t look at the schedule and think, ‘Oh my gosh, there’s teams we can’t beat.

“I think the opportunity is there. We just can’t beat ourselves.”