Steelers shock Mustangs in Class B opener

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 21 October 2016 at 10:43 pm

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina/Lyndonville’s lone touchdown in this evenings sectional loss to Lackawanna at Vets Park came on this play as Mason Lewis (24) knocked the ball away from Steelers quarterback Noble Smith, at left, and Dawson Joy, at right, picked it up and ran 54 yards for the score.

Avenging an early season 42 point (48-6) drubbing, No. 8 seed Lackawanna shocked top seeded Medina/Lyndonville 16-8 in quarterfinal round of the Section VI Class B playoffs this evening at rainy Vets Park.

The defense provided the lone Medina/Lyndonville touchdown as Mason Lewis knocked the ball loose from Lackawanna quarterback Noble Smith and Dawson Joy scooped up the ball and raced 54 yards into the end zone. Jake Cotter added the two-point conversion run giving the Mustangs an 8-0 lead with 3:14 to go in the opening quarter.

However, the lead lasted less than three minutes as the Steelers capitalized on a muffed Mustangs punt return attempt deep in Medina/Lyndonville territory to knot the contest on a 21 yard touchdown pass from Noble Smith to London Smith and a two-point conversion run by Khalil Horton.

The Steelers then scored what proved to be the game winning touchdown on a 23 yard touchdown pass from Noble Smith to London Smith with 5:50 to go in the second quarter. Noble Smith added the two-point conversion pass to Horton giving the Steelers a 16-8 lead.

The Mustangs did drive deep into Lackawanna twice in the final five minutes of the half but both times had a turnover wipe out the opportunity.

First ,a 35 yard run by Cotter and a 15 yard run by quarterback Izaiah Rhim helped the Mustangs drive to the Steelers 12 yard line only to lose possession on a fumble.

The defense got the ball right back for the Mustangs offense and Rhim hooked up with Johnny Salone for a 21 yard pass completion moving the ball to the Steelers 21. However, three plays later an interception by London Smith ended the threat with just two seconds remaining in the half.

The Mustangs then drove into Steelers territory twice in the third quarter but again could not capitalize.

First, a 24 yard run by Cotter combined with a Lackawanna personal foul penalty moved the ball to the Steelers 38. However, a third down sack forced a punt.

Then late in the quarter runs of 24 yards by Jalin Cooper and 19 by Eric Neace helped move the ball to a first down at the Lackawanana 13. The Steelers defense though rose to the occasion stopping the drive on downs at the 9.

Lackawanna then capitalized on a controversial 26 yard pass completion to get out of the shadow of their own end zone which started a six minute long drive that finally stalled out on downs at the Mustangs 18 yard line.

The Mustangs got the ball back two more times but could not cross midfield.

The Mustangs slip to 6-2 while the Steelers advance to the semifinals at 5-3.