ORANGE GROVE, Texas — The fall 2026 football season features a solid senior receiver class in the Coastal Bend. That's why we're highlighting five seniors in our third annual KRIS Super 6 Showcase, a combine-like environment that will air Aug. 20 at 6:30 p.m. on KRIS 6.
Orange Grove receiver Daniel Martinez led the Bulldogs in reception yards and reception touchdowns as a junior last season. That's why the senior has been named to our KRIS Super 6 Showcase.
"Being able to go out on the field even when we are down and make good plays it just shows the teams we still got this," Martinez said.
Martinez led by example last fall. He gave Orange Grove 823 reception yards on 41 catches and 7 touchdowns. However, receiver is not where he started his youth football career.
"At first I started as a lineman and then I went to a running back and Hughes (Klatt) was quarterback," Martinez said.
Martinez has lots of experience and chemistry with Hughes Klatt, which makes Klatt's job easier.
"He helps a lot because I mean in open field he's really good and he can do it all," Klatt said.
Martinez is great in open field, able to juke past anyone. He's also a versatile player, punting for the Bulldogs and more.
"You know last year we went through a ton of injuries," said Orange Grove football head coach Jared Johnston. "He had to play corner for us and he was one of our best corners."
Martinez is solid on the football field, but baseball is his passion.
"Just his ability to track a ball," Johnston said. "If you watch him on the baseball field, you know there's some hits that you think are in the gap or over his head. He's going to flip his hips and run and go get it."
Martinez almost did not even play football, but head coach Jared Johnston convinced him to play both sports.
"I give a big ol' hug. Say, all I've heard about is you," Johnston said. "We talk and say hey look you don't know me. Let me explain to you what I want. My vision for everything."
Martinez is athletic, but more importantly he is a good student. The senior has a 3.8 GPA.
Last year Orange Grove finished the season (9-3), advancing to the second round of playoffs," Martinez said. "Valuable experience that the squad carries over to this fall.
"We're all young and when you have the experience playing up with the older guys and we all played together when we were young, so that's just going to be great for us."
The KRIS Super 6 Showcase features Martinez alongside Carroll’s Steven McChester, King’s Damon Smith, Flour Bluff's Ransom Watson and Three Rivers’ Ethan Conn. Watch the showcase on Aug. 20 at 6:30 p.m. on KRIS 6.
Orange Grove kicks off the season on the road to London on Friday, Aug. 28 at 7:30 p.m.
Thank you to Ramsey Torres of Ramco Mechanical Air Conditioning and Heating on supporting Coastal Bend athletes, a proud sponsor of the KRIS Super 6 Showcase.
There are more class of 2027 receivers to keep on the radar like London's Zach Tyrone, Carroll's Braylen Swanson and Miller's Izaiah Gidrey to name a few.
