Mike Martinez is a sure-handed receiver who is as likely to line up as wingback as he is on the line of scrimmage.

If they're taking a photo of the Bryan Vikings' offensive line, though, Martinez expects to be in the picture.

"I kind of count myself more with the O-line," said Martinez, the Vikings' senior tight end. "I love blocking for our backs."

He and his partners have done it well. The Vikings average 299 yards rushing per game and 371 yards of total offense.

"He's a very good pass receiver, but the big thing is that he gives us six linemen up front," Bryan head coach Bob Bellard said. "He makes people play us pretty honest. If there's a definite strong side and a definite weak side, everybody has to line up and defend [strong] side because of where he is."

Where Martinez is has been flexible. At wingback, he goes into motion and can become an important lead blocker with a head of steam.

"I enjoy both positions, but moving around and switching formations makes it better for our offense," Martinez said. "It's pretty much the same. You just set your feet and get going."

Martinez adapts to defenders, as well.

"You use their technique against them," Martinez said. "You just take them where they want to go."

Said Bellard: "He's smart, strong, takes pride in his blocking and has been very unselfish this year. We've tried to get him the ball a few times, because he's a good receiver, too."

Bryan will again be an underdog Friday at Waco ISD Stadium when the Vikings face the De Soto Eagles in the Class 5A Division I bi-district playoffs. They Vikings are used to the role.

"It was an unexpected season," Martinez said. "In our district, everybody expected us to finish at the bottom, and we came out as one of the teams on top. Now we are ready to go get De Soto. We'll have to take the intensity level another notch up."

Martinez was a standout baseball player on Bryan West's national tournament team last summer. It meant he missed early football practice, but he hasn't had trouble blending into a group of Vikings who lean on their camaraderie as a strength.

"Last year, we had a lot of athletes but weren't really the team we are this year," Martinez said. "This year, we're close, hang out together. Almost every weekend, we're together. If a teammate needs a ride, we pick him up and take him where he needs to be."

Martinez and his fellow linemen have been equally good at getting the Bryan running backs where they need to be.

"Our expectation is to have high numbers, but we're not cocky or brag about how good we are," Martinez said. "Nate [Jones] and Chris [Watson] thank me and the whole O-line for the way we block and for the amount of yards they get. After every scoring drive, they shake the hands of the offensive line and tell us, 'Good job.'"

MIKE MARTINEZ UP CLOSE

* Person I most admire: my father

* Favorite food: wings

* Favorite pro team: Houston Texans

* Favorite athlete: Dallas Cowboys tight end Martellus Bennett

* Favorite teammate: Chris Watson

Class 5A Division I bi-district

Bryan vs. De Soto

7:30 pm Friday

Waco ISD Stadium

Advanced Sale Ticket Prices:

Adults - $7; Students - $5

All tickets at the gate are $8