Thursday Football: A.J. Hill breaks game open as Central tops Martin County
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FORT PIERCE — A.J. Hill is just about impossible to catch when he has a step on his defender.
The Fort Pierce Central star is still difficult to catch even when he doesn't.
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On a third-and-short early in the third quarter against Martin County, the 6-foot-2, 195-pound wide receiver reeled in a Drew LaPlante pass on a slant pattern, broke two Tigers tackles and raced down the sideline for an 81-yard touchdown reception.
"I looked at Drew and I said, 'Let me close out the game,'" Hill said.
The West Georgia commit had four receptions for 157 yards and two touchdowns during the Cobras' 35-10 victory over Martin County on Thursday night at Calvin R. Tripplett Field at Lawnwood Stadium. LaPlante finished with three touchdown passes, while the defense recorded three interceptions, including a pick-six.
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Central is the area's last unbeaten team, improving to 3-0.
"We definitely had our rough moments tonight, especially with Martin County being well-coached and a tough team with a bunch of tough kids. We knew it would be tough, so I'm really happy and pleased with the kids to be able to get out of here with a win," Cobras coach Mike Watkins said.
Hill didn't need to gain any yards after contact on his first score.
LaPlante fired a perfect pass while under pressure from Tigers defensive end Jonathan Leocal. The throw hit Hill in stride at the goal line for a 35-yard touchdown late in the first quarter, giving the home team a 14-0 advantage.
The Cobras duo has been outstanding to open the 2026 season. LaPlante has thrown 12 touchdown passes and just one interception, with five of those touchdowns going to Hill.
"We built our chemistry," Hill said of LaPlante. "Every day after practice, we get throws in with all the receivers and defensive backs. It's just perfect timing, and hard work makes greatness."
Martin County answered with a long score of its own on the ensuing drive when Arhmad Walker thundered up the middle for a 40-yard touchdown run. However, Central needed less than three minutes to respond. The Cobras drove 69 yards in eight plays, capped by a 2-yard touchdown run from Kevin Dixon to take a 21-7 lead.
The final long play of the night belonged to the Cobras defense.
Jaidyn Beaubrun made the right read on an out-breaking pass from Manny Louis. The junior safety jumped the route and returned the interception 37 yards for a touchdown midway through the third quarter.
This story will be updated.
Patrick Bernadeau is a sports reporter for Treasure Coast Newspapers. He can be reached at 772-985-9692, on X at @PatBernadeau or via email at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Thursday Football: A.J. Hill breaks game open as Central tops Martin County
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