McCurdy School football star Louie Martinez has transferred to Pojoaque High School.
McCurdy football coach and athletic director Eric Vigil confirmed Feb. 16 that the sophomore quarterback was now enrolled at Pojoaque. Vigil. He chose not to comment on why Martinez had transferred.
Martinez, a two-year starter had led the Bobcats to back-to-back Class A state football playoff berths. He was expected to pilot a strong McCurdy team next season that will be returning several starters and will be welcoming two transfers from Española Valley High School.
Pojoaque football coach Quevin Redding is looking forward to having Martinez join his up-and-coming team. The Elks had their first winning season in school history last year but are losing starting quarterback Mike Garcia to graduation.
“We were expecting to have to start a young, inexperienced quarterback next season,” Redding said. “Now we have a quarterback with a lot of experience. We’re excited about our future.”
Martinez also played guard on the Bobcats’ basketball team and placed fourth in the long jump at the 2009 Class AA state track and field meet.
McCurdy basketball coach Walter Bustos had been wondering what had happened to Martinez when he did not show up for the Bobcats District 3AA game Jan. 30 against Mesa Vista. Martinez, who started the season as a shooting guard, was replaced as a starter by Carlos Herrera after Martinez suffered a torn hip muscle in a motor vehicle accident Dec. 17 in which he was the driver. Eric Vigil Jr., son of Eric Vigil, suffered a concussion in that accident.
Martinez returned to action at the Northern Rio Grande tournament and scored 20 points in a 63-56 overtime victory Jan. 7 over Escalante. Martinez chose not to play in a Jan. 23 basketball game against Coronado and Bustos was not sure of Martinez’s status as a player since that game since Martinez was not attending practice.
Martinez’s transfer to Pojoaque has ended the uncertainty over Martinez’s status on the basketball team.
“My team’s at ease now,” Bustos said. “All the questions there are gone.”
Pojoaque is a Class AAA school, while McCurdy is Class A for football and will dropping next school year from Class AA to Class A in basketball.
A message left for Martinez’s stepfather Aaron Archuleta Monday was not returned.