By Justin Fedich | The Selma Times-Journal

Martin quarterback Octavious Palmer had over 100 yards rushing and over 100 yards passing, but it wasn’t enough to beat Centreville.

The Martin Bulldogs (1-5) led in the third quarter, but allowed two second half touchdowns to fall to the Centreville Choctaws (4-2) at home 24-12 Tuesday in the Bulldogs’ final game of the season. Palmer made big plays in the passing game, rushing game, defense and special teams, but Martin’s defense wasn’t able to stop the Choctaws down the stretch.

“[Palmer] does it all for us,” said Martin head coach Jeremy White.

“He comes out and competes every day and plays hard.”

Both teams struggled to hold on to the ball early. Palmer lost a fumble, but Centreville fumbled twice on its next drive. The second fumble was recovered by Martin’s De’Marius Wilson midway through the first quarter.

With just seconds remaining in the first quarter, Choctaws’ Brody Seales hit Mikal Moton for 58 yards on a halfback pass. Two plays later, Moton ran a 4-yard touchdown for the first score of the game.

Christopher King connected with Seales for the two-point conversion, and Centreville took an 8-0 lead with 7:53 remaining in the second quarter.

After each team turned the ball over on downs, Martin found its rhythm on offense. Palmer hit Patrick Callens for a 19-yard score with 1:21 remaining in the first half.

“He’s done a really good job receiving for us,” White said. “He’s really come on here lately and he made some big catches for us.”

Callens caught every completed pass for Martin, finishing the game with 102 yards receiving.

Both teams traded interceptions to the end the half, as Centreville’s Mason Richards and Martin’s Calvin Griffin each picked off passes.

Martin’s defense opened the second half forcing a three-and-out. Palmer ran back the first punt of the game 40 yards and scored on an 8-yard touchdown run later that drive.

Palmer led all rushers with 131 yards.

“You see all the potential in him,” said Centreville head coach Charles Stacy. “I think he’s going to be an asset to Dallas County. He has all the tools to be successful at the next level.”

The Bulldogs failed to convert the two-point conversion, but Martin took its first lead of the game at 12-8 with 4:16 left in the third quarter.

Centreville brought back its halfback pass on its next drive.

This time, Moton hit Seales for a 20-yard touchdown with 2:22 remaining in the third quarter. Zairen Avery converted the two-point conversion to take a 16-12 advantage.

Avery was tough to stop all night, as he finished the night with 94 rushing yards.

“He’s a hard runner. He plays at pad level. He’s going to be an outstanding guy at the next level,” Stacy said. “The high school is going to get a great back next year.”

After the Bulldogs turned the ball over on downs, the Choctaws took a large chunk of game time as they marched the ball down the field and scored with 2:43 remaining in the game.

Moton ran in a 3-yard touchdown and Avery ran it in for the two-point conversion to take a 24-12 lead.

Martin drove down the field, but was ultimately stopped on fourth down on the 2-yard line. The Bulldogs’ season ended on the 2-yard line as Martin’s defense stuffed Avery for no gain on the final play of the game.

“They’ve got to get meaner,” White said. “That’s all it is. That’s all it amounts to. We were the same caliber as that team, but we just weren’t as mean as they were.”