After having a historic season Martez Walker seemingly had broken every record that Brother Rice Football running backs could have. He broke the touchdown record and career rushing yards, not to mention being named an all-state performer and Catholic League all star. But there was one record Martez fell just short of, and that was the single season rushing record held by Joe Schissler class of ‘92. Schissler’s record was 1,619 yards, and he’s held it for almost twenty years now. Schissler felt obligated to come back to Rice and meet the highly talked about Walker and give him some advice.
The two running backs talked about the great memories of playing for Brother Rice, and what the coaches and teammates meant to them. Martez said, “I’m kind of excited to meet the man who holds the single season record.” When asked about Coach Mitchell, Schissler commented, “He was a positive mentor, and I always looked up to him.” Martez added about Coach Nye, “He taught me how to compete, play hard, play fast, and never to take plays off.” The two also chatted about how much their teammates meant to them, and how the memories they have from playing football with them will last a lifetime.
Martez wasn’t even aware that he was only a hundred and some odd yards away from the record until Coach Nye told him last week to go get the record. Schissler followed Martez all season hoping that he would break the record. “I was rooting for him to break the record; it would’ve been awesome for him to break it. I was rooting for him ever since Tim Lyons told me he was special when he came to Rice as a freshman.’ When asked which record he would rather have Martez said, “Probably career cause it’ll stay with you forever, single season can always be broken.”
When asked why Schissler wanted to meet Martez he commented, “I was never afforded the opportunity to meet the guy’s record I broke. I’ve always wanted to meet the person who broke mine or came close to it.” Martez even asked Schissler some advice about playing college football. “College football is a completely different animal. It is much more serious then high school, everybody is bigger, stronger, and faster,” says Schissler. Schissler then asked Martez about his goals when he starts his career at Central Michigan. “To play early, and win a MAC championship,” commented Martez.
Things like this only happen every so often, and to see the meeting between possibly the top two running backs in Brother Rice history was quite a scene. Both guys were excited to meet each other and ask one another about their careers as a Crusader. Schissler really wanted to give Martez some advice before he takes off for college next season. “Make sure that when someone comes close or breaks your records that you come back and congratulate them,” said Schissler. Martez commented, “I will make sure to do exactly what you did for me.” Sounds like two typical Brother Rice guys, helping out one another because of the bond of brotherhood we have here at Brother Rice.
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