Football: Martinez could be the heir apparent at Corona Centennial

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One of the summer’s more interesting questions surrounding the program over Corona Centennial has been: Who will emerge as the starting quarterback for the Huskies since the graduation of Matt Scott, one of the Southland’s most prized prospects a season ago before he committed to Arizona?

Well, it appears as if we have the answer. His name is Taylor Martinez. The 6-foot-1 senior transferred from Cajon recently, has spent most of the last couple of months getting acclimated to his new surroundings and will be No.1 on the depth chart for the team’s first practice, Aug. 20.

‘We’re expecting some big things out of Taylor this year,’’ Centennial Coach Matt Logan said. ‘He has done a good job of fitting in well with his new teammates. He’s a smart kid with plenty of poise. He knows about the tradition we have here. He knows we play at a high level.’’

He won’t be expected to come in and make people forget about Scott. That would be an unreasonable thing to ask anyone to do. And Martinez won’t be making many headlines out in the Inland Empire, not with fellow signal callers such as Los Osos’ Richard Brehaut and Upland’s Josh Nunes around.

Martinez will, however, have the opportunity to forge his own identity. And it’s not as if he’s a complete unknown either. Several Division I programs have been in contact with him lately, including Hawaii and Iowa State, along with Michigan State and Washington. He has an offer from Nebraska too.

‘Taylor can play, make no mistake about it,’’ Logan said. ‘He’s a football player that has the potential to make an impact here, for us, and at the next level. I can’t wait to see how he does this season when he’s challenged. I can see him rising to the occasion if put in a tough situation.’’

-- Sean Ceglinsky