Mustangs to face new foe in Class C opener

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Providing the all important blocking and pass protection for Medina this season is this group of linemen and tight ends. In front are Xavier King, Roosevelt Mitchell and Sawyer Kingsbury. In back are Breydin McEwen-Miller, Ethan Carson, Kole Campbell and Carter Woodworth.

A new foe will provide the opposition as Medina hosts Falconer/Cassadaga Valley/Maple Grove in the quarterfinal round of the Section VI Class C football playoffs at 7 p.m. Friday at Vets Park.

Heading into this first time meeting, top seeded C North Division champion Medina brings an 8-0 record into the sectionals while C South Division No. 4 seed Falconer/CV/MG is 4-4.

“We always take the approach of: one game at a time,” said Medina Coach Eric Valley. “Falconer/CV/MG is a very well coached discipled football team. They were very competitive in a division with some great competition. We expect them to play physical, disciplined football.”

Falconer/CV/MG is led offensively by quarterback Lucas Sopak who has completed 56 of 96 passes for 652 yards and 12 touchdowns. The Bison’s leading receivers are Roger Markham 13 catches for 247 yards and 4 TD and Mathis Baher with 13 receptions for 117 yards and 5 TD. On the ground, Bradyn Fuller has rushed for 734 yards and 8 TD.

“We need to play solid defense and minimize any big plays,” said Valley. ” Offensively we need to establish the line of scrimmage and then spread the ball around to make them defend the whole field. We need to minimize mistakes and take the game one play at a time.”

Offensively for the Mustangs are led by quarterback Julian Woodworth who has passed for 568 yards and 5 TD and rushed for 398 yards and 9 TD. Christian Moss has rushed for 1,049 yards and 13 TD and Noah Cudzilo 211 yards and 4 TD. Cudzilo has also caught passes for 124 yards and 3 TD and Justin Pitts 125 yars and 1 TD.

Keying the Mustangs high scoring offense has been the strong front line group of linemen Sawyer Kingsbury, Xavier King, Roosevelt Mitchell, Kole Campbell and Ethan Carson along with tight ends Breydin McEwen-Miller and Carter Woodworth.

This marks the fourth straight year that Medina has qualified for the sectionals. The Mustangs lost in the semifinals last year after capturing the Class C title the previous two seasons.

Friday’s other Class C quarterfinals will have Akron (C North No. 3) at Southwestern (C South No. 2), Portville (C South No. 3) at Newfane (C North No. 2) and Cleveland Hill (C North No. 4) at Salamanca (C South No. 1).

Tickets must be purchased on-line

Fans are reminded that tickets for the game must be purchased on-line in advance.

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