NDA’s Martzahl not letting injuries keep him down

It’s been tough for Tommy Martzahl to reach his top gear this year.

“It hurts, but you just have to keep going because I only get this chance once,” said Martzahl about playing through ankle and groin injuries.

The 6-foot-1, 180-pound receiver earned first team all-Fox River Classic Conference honors this season after finishing second in the conference with 664 receiving yards and seven touchdowns despite dealing with the injuries during the second half of the year.

The postseason is often a battle of attrition as players deal with ailments. The teams that can manage those the best are usually the ones that make deepest runs, like Notre Dame has enjoyed the previous three years in advancing to at least the WIAA Division 3 semifinals.

“Every year our seniors work through adversity with a lot of physical stuff,” Notre Dame coach Mike Rader said. “With as many two-players as we have, it’s just part of the game

“Jack Allen did the same thing last year. Jack could barely walk after most of the games, but he was a leader by example and leader by effort. Tommy is certainly filling that role this year.”

After missing five games with a broken collarbone last year, Martzahl was hit by the injury bug again when he left a Week 4 loss against Pulaski with an ankle injury. He sat out one game and came down with the groin injury when he returned.

While his wheels haven’t been cooperating the way he would like, Martzahl’s leadership and presence will be vital to Notre Dame’s hopes of advancing deep in the D3 playoffs for a fourth straight year.

“I think every year right around playoff time you get a new berth of energy,” Martzahl said. “You get rejuvenated and the season feels like a whole new season.”

WIAA second-round playoff matchups featuring local teams

Division 1

No. 4 Appleton North at No. 1 Bay Port

Division 2

No. 3 Pulaski at No. 2 River Falls

Division 3

No. 5 Freedom at No. 1 West De Pere

No. 6 Seymour at No. 2 Green Bay Notre Dame

Division 4

No. 3 Wrightstown at No. 2 Winneconne

Division 5

No. 4 Southern Door at No. 1 Kewaunee

Division 6

No. 4 Coleman at No. 1 Iola-Scandinavia

8-player

No. 2 Sevastopol vs. No. 1 Wausau Newman