Mustangs down Panthers in C North opener

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 2 September 2022 at 11:06 pm

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Noah Skinner breaks free from Newfane defender Landen Braman during the Mustangs season opening win at Vets Park this evening.

Penalties and turnovers dominated the action, especially through the first three quarters, as Medina opened defense of its C North Division title with a 21-7 win over Newfane this evening at Vets Park.

Breaking away from a 7-7 deadlock, Medina finally regained the lead for good on a two-yard touchdown run by Noah Skinner with 16 seconds to go in the third period. Cole Callard tacked on the extra point kick for a 14-7 lead. Runs of 25 yards by Skinner, 27 by Aiden Pitts and 20 by Amari Soule highlighted the 80 yard land march.

The Mustangs later scored the clincher on a 15 yard TD run by Cayden Lilleby with 6:17 to go in the fourth quarter as Callard again added the extra point kick. Runs of 17, 10 and 8 by Skinner and of 12 by Pitts highlighted what was again a land march.

Medina also scored first on a 10 yard Justin Woodworth to Lilleby pass and a Callard PAT kick in the opening quarter.

Newfane though answered right back with a touchdown pass from Nate Snow to Landen Braman and an extra point kick by Ben Dickinson.

However, the Mustangs defense blanked the Panthers the rest of the way stopping three Newfane drives inside the Medina 30 one of which was halted by a Pitts interception.

The Panthers did misfire on a 26 yard field goal attempt in the third quarter which would have snapped the 7-7 deadlock.

Medina next visits Roy-Hart/Barker/Lyndonville next Friday at 7 for another C North Division game.