There is an old adage in sports: “Do not be the guy to follow a legend, be the guy-who follows the guy-who follows the legend.” Friday night at Drake Stadium, new Blue Devil quarterback Brenton Martin took advantage of his new opportunity.

Taking over for Anthony Jennings, who is now the backup quarterback at LSU, Martin delivered five touchdown passes and 245 yards in his first career start. He did throw an interception on his team’s first possession of the season and at times ran himself into sacks. However, his performance was an indicator of the beauty of sports; a talented young man getting his first opportunity and learning on the job. His offense was shaky one moment and explosive the next.

Marietta finished the night with 18 penalties for 155 yards. They also turned a 3-0 lead with four minutes remaining in the half, into a 45-21 lead headed to the fourth quarter. The Blue Devils three big playmakers, Marcus Bennett, Jordan Mathis and Kir’Vonte Benson, all turned in special performances. Benson rushed with authority throughout and amassed 144 yards on 17 carries. Bennett and Mathis, both three year starters, had two touchdown receptions apiece.

The Blue Devils scored twice in the last four minutes of the first half to build a 17-0 lead as Martin hit both playmaking wide receivers for scores. Newnan remained composed and drove the length of the field in the final minute. Junior quarterback Bailey Bryant, who started all twelve games for his club in 2012, found 6’8 wide receiver Immanuel Griggs on a fade route to produce the 17-7 halftime score.

The contest was decided in the third quarter as the teams combined for 42 points. Martin hit Mathis from seven yards out, on their first drive of the half, and Marietta led 23-7. On the first play of the ensuing drive, the Cougars answered when Bryant hit Chrishawn Dix for an 80 yard score.

On a third down and 20-play during the very next drive for Marietta, Martin stepped up into the pocket to avoid the rush, and delivered a 75-yard touchdown strike to Bennett. Scott Burton’s Blue Devils would score on the next two drives as well. First, on a ten yard run by future UNC Tar Heel linebacker Tyrell Tomlin; and then on another touchdown pass by Martin, this time to Bennett. At that point the Blue Devils lead was 45-14.

Newnan was bitten by the early season inconsistences that bother every program in the first few weeks of a new season. Head coach Mike McDonald will have to find a replacement for new University of Georgia safety Trey Mathews and thirteen other offensive pieces. However, lefty quarterback Bailey Bryant was a bright spot. He finished with 220 yards through the air and three touchdown strikes. The real question may come on the defensive side of the football.

On Friday night, the Cougars relinquished 463 yards and 52 points to an offense that had more penalty yards than production yardage in the first six minutes of the contest.