Mustangs roll past rival Purple Eagles to claim B East Division title outright

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina/Lyndonville running back Jake Cotter looks to go around Albion defender Lamar Chambers during the Mustangs win over the rival Purple Eagles this evening at Vets Park.

Ending a three decade drought, Medina/Lyndonville posted a 48-6 victory over rival Albion this evening at Vets Park to claim outright possession of the B East Division championship, the Mustangs first outright division title since 1988.

Eric Neace scored 3 touchdowns and Jake Cotter and Jalin Cooper both had 2 to spearhead the Mustangs offense while 3 sacks each by Neace and Cotter, 2 by Dawson Joy and 1 each by Tyler Howard and Cooper highlighted the stingy defensive effort.

“The kids played real well,” said Mustangs Coach Eric Valley. “They continue to get better and I’m really proud of them.”

Albion’s Tommy Mattison gains yardage as Lucas Porter tries to make the tackle for the Mustangs.

The win also earned the Mustangs the Doc’s Rock Trophy which is given to the victor each year in memory of Larry “Doc” Decker who coached and taught in both school districts.

The Mustangs jumped out to an early 6-0 lead on an 11 yard touchdown run by Neace. Big runs of 30 yards by Cotter and 25 by Cooper keyed the drive.

Albion though answered right back to knot the contest at 6-6 on a 1 yard touchdown run by Tommy Mattison just three minutes later. Mattison also had runs of 13 and 12 yards and Meach Gardner caught a 14 yrd pass from quarterback Bryce Pritchard to highlight the drive.

However, the drive proved to be a costly one as Mattison, who led the Purple Eagles in both scoring (11 TDs) and rushing (over 1,000 yards) this season injured an ankle and did not return.

The Mustangs quickly regained the lead for good at 14-6 on a 14 yard touchdown run by Cotter who also had the two-point conversion carry with 1:15 to go in the opening quarter. A 33 yard pass from Cooper to Mason Lewis sparked the drive.

The Mustangs doubled the advantage to 28-6 at the half by scoring twice in the second quarter on a 14 yard touchdown pass from quarterback Izaiah Rhim to Cooper and an 83 yard punt return for a TD by Cooper. Cotter added the two-point carry after that tally. Cotter also compelled a 29 yard pass to Cooper to set up the first score.

The lead increased to 36-6 in the third quarter on a 3 yard TD run by Cotter and a two-point conversion pass from Rhim to Johnny Salone. Ronnie Koonce had runs of 17 and 16 yards during drive.

The Mustangs capped off the win with a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns by Neace on runs of 2 and 4 yards.

Howard led the Mustangs defense in tackles with 13 and Salone had 10.

The victory caps off a 5-0 B East Division season for the Mustangs which will take a 6-1 overall record into the upcoming sectional playoffs as the No. 1 seed in Class B.

Albion finishes the regular season at 1-4 in the division and 2-5 overall.

Dawson Joy of the Mustangs sacks Purple Eagles quarterback Bryce Pritchard.