Low numbers a concern as Mustangs prep to defend their C North Division title

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Veteran members of the Medina varsity squad include, in front, Ethan Carson, Brody Fry, Carter Woodworth and Kolton Fletcher. In back are Elijah Doxey, Cole Callard, Frankie Stephens, Avion Johnson and Christian Moss.

Four time C North Division champion Medina faces two big challenges – low numbers and major graduation losses – as the Mustangs begin a quest to claim a fifth straight crown.

“Numbers are our biggest concern” said Mustangs Head Coach Eric Valley whose squad numbers just 22 players when preseason practice began this week. “Our goal is to get our best 11 players on the field, stay healthy and play fast.”

Offensively, the Mustangs are led by junior running back Christian Moss who rushed for 1,362 yards and scored 18 touchdowns last year to earn C North Division Offensive Player of the Year honors.

The Mustangs also have a strong offensive weapon in senior place kicker Cole Callard who made good on 44 of 46 extra point kick attempts and 4 field goals, including a school record 47 yarder, last year.

Senior linebacker/running back Brody Fry, who earned C North Defensive Player of the Year honors, is shifting to a line position on offense as is senior tight end/defensive end Brayden McEwen-Miller to help offset major graduation losses on the line.

Those line losses included the starting quartet of Roosevelt Mitchell, Xavier King, Kole Campbell and Sawyer Kingsbury.

The Mustangs returning experience on the line includes senior Ethan Carson, juniors Xavier Moyer and Frankie Stephens and sophomore Matthew Jacobs.

Sophomores Preston Woodworth and Hadrian Batista are vying for the starting quarterback spot as Julian Woodworth and Noah Cudzilo, who took all the snaps last year, have both graduated.

At the skill positions the Mustangs also return senior Carter Woodworth and junior Avion Johnson at tight end, juniors Jerrell Nealy and Kolton Fletcher and sophomore Elijah Doxey at wide receiver and sophomore Jayzon Wills at running back.

Graduation losses at those positions included Justin Pitts and Kaedon Cleveland at wide receiver and Amari Soule, Liam Castricone, Xavier Bloom and Will Prest at running back.

Medina, which went 6-0 in the division and 10-1 overall last fall, will open the season on September 6 with a C North contest against Roy-Hart/Barker on Barker’s new artificial turf field. The Mustangs home opener will be September 13 against Newfane.