VIDEO: Martinek Explains Staying in Hopatcong

It's hard to imagine Joe Martinek wearing anything but black and green. But it could have happened.

Martinek said Thursday he interviewed with Pope John, Don Bosco and Delbarton—all New Jersey football powerhouses—before picking his hometown high school in eighth grade.

It came down to comfort, Martinek said.

"I had a choice to make," he said. "Do I want to stay home, play with my friends, play for my town and the school that helped me grow up? Or go somewhere an hour away with people—I have no idea who they are. Teachers—I have no idea who they are. Do they really care about me?"

Four years later, Martinek had a state championship and was New Jersey's all-time rushing yards (7,589) record holder.

As a Hopatcong Chief.