By Brayleigh Boggs
Carter County Times
Wyatt Martin’s path to becoming one of the most decorated specialists in West Carter football history started in his front yard at age seven.
“My dad,” Martin said when asked what first made him want to become a kicker. “He started me at age seven.”
Martin, a senior at West Carter High School, signed to continue his football career at the University of Pikeville. He leaves West Carter holding the school records for most career points by a kicker and the longest field goal in a career.
Kicking runs in the family. Martin’s father was a college kicker at West Virginia State University and later pursued a career in law enforcement. Martin plans to follow a similar path. He will major in criminal justice at Pikeville and hopes to join the Kentucky State Police.
“I want to go down the state police path, like my dad did,” Martin said.
But that’s the future. When looking back at his time on the field, Martin said, one moment stands above the rest. On senior night, Martin drilled a 32-yard game-winning field goal against Rowan County.
“That was definitely my most memorable moment,” he mentioned.
West Carter coach Daniel Barker said Martin’s work ethic set him apart from the beginning.
“From the time we got Wyatt, he’s always been so hardworking,” Barker said. “He’s always been very serious about kicking. Wyatt’s the kind of kid you have to slow down, or he will kick all day, and I’ve always appreciated that about him.”
Martin said his father has been the most influential person in his football journey.
“Definitely my dad,” Martin said. “He started working with me at age seven in our front yard, just kicking footballs over top of a soccer net. Mainly my dad, but also Coach Barker, for always motivating me, stopping me when I was over-kicking.”
His recruitment process began before his junior season. After a strong sophomore year, Martin posted his highlights on social media and quickly gained attention.
“Going into my junior year, I had a good sophomore season,” he said. “I posted my highlights on Twitter, and had a coach reach out inviting me to a camp. After that, I was never off Twitter. I am so thankful for all the opportunities I had during high school. A lot of high schools don’t use kickers to their full potential, but I’m very grateful to be used the way I was.”
When Pikeville extended an opportunity, Martin said the decision felt right.
“I was so excited,” he said. “I love their facilities. It was everything I wanted that wasn’t super far from home.”
Barker said finding the right fit was important.
“When he started looking for places to play in college, we wanted to find a place that was not only a good school, but a good team fit,” Barker said. “We think he can earn a spot at Upike and become a kicker, and we expect really great things out of him.”
“Not many people in the last few years have gotten the opportunity to play,” Martin said. “Not only that, but I am also the only kicker from West Carter ever to go play college football.”
Coming from a small town, Martin said the recruiting process required persistence.
“It’s hard to get recruited,” he said.
But you can’t let how hard something is deter you from pursuing it. That’s the advice Martin would give other young athletes.
“Don’t give up,” he said. “When I moved here my eighth-grade year, I went to practice for a few weeks and kicked some, and I wanted to quit within three weeks. Now I realize if I did that, I wouldn’t be where I am now.”
(Contact the writer at news@cartercountytimes.com)
