Mustangs rally to win Class C sectional opener

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Jerrell Nealy gains yardage after a pass reception during the Mustangs sectional win over Falconer/Cassadaga Valley/Maple Grove this evening at Vets Park.

Coming from behind twice in the first half, Medina went on to defeat Falconer/Cassadaga Valley/Maple Grove 28-12 in the quarterfinals of the Section VI Class C football playoffs this evening at Vets Park.

Rebounding from deficits of 6-0 and 12-7, Medina rallied into a slender 14-12 half-time advantage as Christian Moss ran 9 yards for one touchdown and quarterback Preston Woodworth passed 13 yards to Kolton Fletcher for the other. Cole Callard tacked on both extra point kicks.

The Mustangs then put a lock on the victory as Moss added a pair of short TD runs in the second half covering 7 and 8 yards and Callard again added both PAT kicks.

Falconer/CV/MG grabbed an early 6-0 lead by putting together a 15 play, 8 minute drive to open the game capped off by a 1 yard touchdown run by Jacob Roth.

Medina though answered right back with a 10 play scoring drive highlighted by a 16 yard run by Moss and capped off by a 9 yard TD carry by Moss with 10:10 to go in the second quarter. Callard’s PAT kick put the Mustangs up 7-6.

Falconer/CV/MG did regain the lead for what proved to be the last time at 12-7 on a 6 yard TD run by Roger Markham with 3:58 to go in the second quarter. A big 36 yard pass completion from Roth to Markham keyed the drive.

However, Medina again answered right back this time with a 13 yard Woodworth to Fletcher TD pass and PAT kick by Callard with 1:10 to go in the half to regain the lead for good at 14-12. Runs of 21 yards by Jayzon Wills and 15 yards by Moss keyed the drive.

The visiting Herd almost regained the lead just before the half but had an apparent touchdown wiped out by a holding penalty.

The Mustangs opened up a little breathing room by putting together a 10 play, 6 minute drive to open the second half capped off by a 7 yard TD run by Moss and a PAT kick by Callard for a 21-12 lead. Woodworth had a 13 yard run and an 11 yard pass completion to Jerrell Nealy to highlight the drive.

Medina then locked up the win on an 8 yard TD run by Moss with four minutes to go in the fourth quarter. Moss handled the ball on all nine plays of the drive including a 13 yard pass reception from Woodworth and an 11 yard run.

The Mustangs defensive unit set up that scoring opportunity as Fletcher and Avion Johnson combined for a key fourth down tackle giving Medina possession near mid field. The defense also stopped a Herd possession in the third quarter on a fumble recovery by Moss near midfield.

The victory advances Medina’s to next week’s semifinal round against the winner of Friday’s Cleveland Hill (4-4) at Salamanca (8-0) quarterfinal.

Medina improves to 8-1 and Falconer/CV/MG finishes the season at 6-3.

The matchup was a repeat of last year’s quarterfinal which saw the Mustangs down the Herd 24-0.

Kolton Fletcher hauls in a touchdown pass to put Medina on top to stay at 14-12 late in the second quarter.

Christian Moss follows blocks by Kolton Fletcher (4) and Frankie Stephens to score the Mustangs final touchdown, his third TD of the evening.