2022 in Review: Purple Eagles memorable win over Mustangs highlights the fall season
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Albion senior quarterback Amari Jones, who earned first team All Western New York honors, breaks loose for a big gain during the Purple Eagles narrow win over rival Medina as Chris Johnson pursues for the Mustangs.
Albion rallied for a touchdown in the final minute to edge past visiting arch rival Medina 26-20 to highlight what was a very successful football season for both the Purple Eagles and Mustangs.
Trailing 20-18, Albion claimed the thrilling win on a one yard touchdown run by Javon Jones and a two-point conversion carry by quarterback Amari Jones with just 48 seconds to go as the Purple Eagles avenged an equally close 30-28 loss the year before.
Medina had jumped out to a 14-0 first quarter lead on a pair of touchdowns by Noah Skinner but Albion battled back to grab an 18-14 lead in the third quarter as Amari Jones ran for one touchdown and passed to Kwami Riley for another and Javon Jones ran for one.
The sea-saw contest continued as Medina regained a 20-18 lead with six minutes to go in the game on a short TD run by quarterback Aiden Pitts.
That set the stage for the Purple Eagles dramatic last minute game winning score.
The victory was the sixth in a row for Albion which rebounded from an 0-2 start to the season.
Medina brought a 7-0 record into the contest as the Mustangs claimed a third straight C North Division title with a 5-0 mark.
Both teams qualified for the sectionals as Albion was nipped by Pioneer 7-6 in the Class B quarterfinals and Medina dropped a narrow 29-22 decision to Fredonia in the Class C semifinals.
Roy-Hart soccer teams claim 3rd straight N-O title – Photos by Cheryl Wertman – The Roy-Hart boys soccer team posted a perfect 10-0 record to capture a third straight N-O League championship. The Rams were led by a quartet of first team All-League honorees including forward Peter Martillotta (40 goals), midfielders Rem Albee and Aiden Guild and defender Landen Guild. The Roy-Hart girls earned a share of a third straight N-O title by finishing the season deadlocked with Wilson at 9-1. A late season 3-1 win over Wilson earned the Lady Rams a share of the crown. The Lady Rams were likewise led by a quartet of first team All-League selections including Kaitlin Mettler (30 goals), Grace Parker, Nadia White and Amelia Konstanty. Shown here in action are Martillotta and Mettler both earned All-WNY and All State honors.
Lady Hawks enjoy banner season – Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Boasting an underclassmen dominated lineup, the Holley girls soccer team captured the Genesee Region League Division 1 title with an 11-1-1 record and went on to score three sectional wins before dropping a 3-1 decision to Gananda in the Class C1 championship game. Finishing with a 16-3-1 record, the Lady Hawks were led by a quintet of G-R All-Stars including juniors Samantha Bates, Bella Thom and Emma Brady along with sophomores Alivia Wolf and Zoey Wolf. Three other juniors Jailyn Bishop, Layne Walker and Leigha Walker all earned Honorable Mention. Bates is shown here during the Lady Hawks sectional semifinal win over Geneseo.
