The son of former Manteca standout Gilbert Martinez, class of 2002, Quinn Martinez is making a name for himself with the Buffaloes.

The junior receiver/cornerback left his mark at Daniel Teicheira Memorial Stadium last Friday, where the Buffs (2-0 Valley Oak League, 5-1 overall) ran roughshod over rival Sierra, 60-21. Although the final score indicates a blowout, it was nip and tuck for much of the first half.

That was when Martinez helped Manteca gain separation with four touchdowns on just six first-half touches, including one on a kickoff return and another an interception return.

“The guy of the night was Quinn Martinez,” Manteca coach Mark Varnum said after the game. “He was unbelievable.”

Martinez also keyed Manteca’s 31-14 win over reigning VOL champion Central Catholic, coming up with a first-half interception and a late touchdown that put it away.

With running back Nikko Juarez slowed by a shoulder injury, the Buffaloes looked to Martinez and others to help pick up the slack.

“That’s obviously a big (loss) for our team, and that’s someone we look to to score a lot for us,” Martinez said of Juarez. “At the same time, that allows us to open up our playbook and show all the talent that we have.”

Martinez began his big night with a 23-yard return on the opening kickoff. Manteca then ended its first drive, which lasted 4 minutes, 4 seconds, with an 18-yard run on a fly sweep from Martinez.

Sierra (2-1, 5-2) responded with a 4-minute scoring drive of its own.

Manteca didn’t take long to counter, as Martinez took the ensuing kickoff 90 yards for another TD.

Manteca never trailed, thanks to Martinez’s splashy plays.

His next score came on a 26-yard jump-ball from Owen Gully, extending the Buffaloes’ lead to 27-14 midway through the second quarter.

“Without the (offensive) line and without our quarterback Owen Gully, there is no touchdown,” Martinez said. “I’m not going to take full credit for that touchdown.”

The deathblow was his 69-yard interception return in the final minute of the first half. Sierra surged into Buffalo territory after a 14-yard pass play coupled with a roughing-the-passer penalty, but Martinez halted the threat with his pick-six.

“We challenge him every week, and I tell you what, two weeks in, if he’s not in the MVP conversation, I don’t know what to say,” Varnum said. “He was unbelievable on both sides (of scrimmage).”