Joziah Martinez has a new habit that can be beneficial for him and his team.

Martinez scored four touchdowns and ran for 127 yards last week in the Rough Riders’ 41-0 shutout of Salisbury, their third straight victory and pushed them to a 4-5 record.

Two weeks ago, Martinez scored four touchdowns in a 30-13 victory over Pen Argyl. Over the last three weeks, Martinez has found the end zone nine times.

Martinez has plenty of good vibes against Salisbury.

“Coming into the game, I was confident because we had great practice, everyone knew their assignments, and having a great week of practice really builds confidence for Friday night,” reflected Martinez. “So, I didn’t have any doubt coming into the game.”

For the Roughies, it has been a building bond over the last few weeks.

“Honestly, I trust my team, and we all trust each other,” deadpanned Martinez. “Over the last few weeks, we’ve been able to put things together in practice, take practice more seriously, and start building a standard for the program. That helped us translate everything into a game.

“Coach Henrich would tell us that the fun isn’t in practice, but when you win a game, that’s when we have fun. That really stuck with us and helped us stay focused over the last four weeks and put together the plays you see on the field.”

Henrich has watched his team mature and reach of level of trust and confidence.

“It was a good game, and we continue to grow,” emphasized Henrich. “Our defense gave us a number of opportunities in the second half, and we were able to capitalize.

“We were not able to finish in the first half. We moved the ball well but kept shooting ourselves in the foot. The difference has been a better approach to practice, a better approach on game day and a much more physical and aggressive approach in game.

“Our offensive line, but more importantly the wide receivers, are blocking relentlessly, and there was great effort.”

Ari Wright, who had a team-high six tackles with Chase Kratochvil and Shane Bortz, has seen plenty of positives the past few weeks.

“I viewed the game very positively because it was senior night, and I think that is what fueled us,” Wright said. “We had a great week of practice, and we had great trust in each other to make sure our seniors left Alumni Field with a win.”

Wright also sees how the team has made a transformation.

“We just had to string everything together. I never thought we were a dominant team. I just think we weren’t putting all of the things that make us a great team together early in the season

“But I think now we are beginning to grasp our identity.”

The Roughies will travel to Northwestern (8-1), who had a 40-game consecutive regular-season victory streak ended last week in a 17-14 loss to undefeated Southern Lehigh.

Henrich knows his team has to stay focused, and he sees a team ahead that has built a perennial power. It is a situation that he wishes his team can eventually create.

“Well, I expect a team that has one loss and has gone deep in the playoffs consistently and won a championship recently,” offered Henrich. “Northwestern is the type of community program that everyone aspires to be.

“They have many kids in the program. They grow up playing football, they love football, they breathe football, they eat football. I wish our community to get back to that. It was that way here for a long time. I hope we are building that back.”

ROUGHIE RITES: Catty has won three straight for the first time since they won their first three games of the 2024 season, Henrich’s first season ... The two teams last met in 2021 with Northwestern winning 36-2, and the Tigers have won nine of the last 11 contests. Since 1978, Northwestern has won 19 of the 29 contests. Catty won, 21-18 in 2017, and 57-3 in 2012 ... Catty quarterback Aiden Reilly threw for 76 yards and ran for 63 with a touchdown. He has completed 82 of 170 attempts for 770 yards with seven touchdowns and eight interceptions. Solomon Mosby ran for 83 yards. Martinez has rushed for 552 yards with 11 touchdowns. Omar Pacheco Jr. has 22 catches for 209 yards with three touchdowns. Jermaine Santiago is averaging 21.8 yards on kickoff returns ... Defensively, Wright has 56 tackles and Chase Kratchovil has 42 stops. Martinez has three sacks, and Shane Bortz has two ... Northwestern running back Chase Sukanick has rushed for 1,195 yards with 16 touchdowns ... The Tigers have averaged 44 points and allowed eight points per game. Quarterback Trey Snyder has completed 93 of 143 attempts for 1,310 yards with 14 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Brady Zimmerman has 34 catches for 536 yards with five touchdowns.

PREDICTION (My season record 8-1): This is a tough spot for the Roughies. Northwestern lost its first regular-season game in four years, and now they are home for their senior night and final home game. In spite of their opponents (7-20 combined record) the past three weeks, Catty has grown on both sides of the ball. The Roughies need the game to help secure a playoff spot in the Class 2A bracket. They are ahead of Mahanoy Area (4-5) with the same records, and Mahanoy hosts Shenandoah Valley (6-3). A key will be Martinez, who needs a big night. Catty will hang tough, but coach Snyder needs to pick me up a cheesesteak from Catty Corner ... NORTHWESTERN, 35-22.