BY MATT JOCKS
HEMET If it wasn’t clear enough before Friday night, it should be now. If a team is going to beat Hemet, it better do it early. Hemet showed again that it is a second-half beast, wearing downRiverside Hillcrest, 38-13. The Bulldogs ran their record to 3-0 for the first time since 2006 while the Trojans remain in search of their first-ever varsity victory. The numbers are clear. Hemet has outscored its opponents by just 15 points in first halves this season but have a 66-point edge in the second half. The Bulldogs have scored 83 of their 114 points after intermission. If anyone needed visual evidence, it was provided by running back Jeff Martin. On a stifling night where the going was tough for much of the game, Martin saved his best for last. On his 26th carry of the night, he shook off tacklers and outran all pursuers to an 88-yard touchdown. “We condition like crazy,” Martin said. “And it’s for moments like that.” Hemet struggled to a 14-7 halftime lead but scored on four of its first five possessions in the second half. Martin, held to 28 yards on 10 carries in the first half, finished with 182 yards on 26 carries. He wasn’t the only Bulldog to produce second-half magic. Receiver Chad Norton made a leaping catch against tight coverage to pull down his second touchdown of the game, giving Hemet a 31-7 lead. Earlier, Norton had missed a couple of potential big plays, earning some harsh words on the sidelines. He responded with a first-half touchdown grab, as well as a key big play on an endaround. “I’ll chew these guys out but they know I love them,” Hemet coach Jeff Reitz said. “Chad got chewed on a little bit, but he’s a great football player. He’s got to be playing college somewhere when he’s done here.” Demetrick Watts broke loose for a 40-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter to pull the Trojans (0-3) into a 7-7 tie. Watts also scored in the fourth quarter.