C North title win earns Mustangs home field advantage for upcoming sectional playoffs

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 13 October 2023 at 11:12 am

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Justin Pitts breaks between Newfane defenders Ayden Buttery (2) and Ben Dickinson (24) during the Mustangs C North Division title clinching win over the host Panthers Thursday evening.

Medina’s 48-26 win at Newfane Thursday was big in not only earning the Mustangs a fourth straight C North Division title but also a top seed for the upcoming Section VI playoffs.

Earning the division title and the C North’s No. 1 seed for the sectionals gives the Mustangs home field advantage for both the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds of the Class C sectionals.

“Getting the home field advantage for the sectionals is big for us,” said Medina Coach Eric Valley.

The sectional playoffs are scheduled to begin on Friday October 27 and Saturday Oct. 28. Medina would host the C South Division’s No. 4 seed in the quarterfinals. If successful, the Mustangs would then host a semifinal matchup the first weekend of November.

Since moving into the C North Division in 2020, Medina has compiled a 20-0 record against division foes including 4-0 in 2020, 5-0 in both 2021 and 2022 and 6-0 this season.

The Mustangs captured the Class C sectional title in both 2020 and 2021 but lost in the semifinals last fall.

Medina – Newfane Game Notes
While the offense put up 48 points several big plays by the Mustangs defense must not be overlooked including interceptions by Kolton Fletcher and Justin Pitts and sacks by Jerrell Nealy and Roosevelt Mitchell as well as tackles for losses by Xavier King and Mitchell.

Keying the Mustangs effective bulldozer ground attack was the front line group of Mitchell, King, Sawyer Kingsbury, Kole Campbell, Ethan Carson and Breydin McEwen-Miller.

The Mustangs offensive production included 3 touchdown runs by Julian Woodworth, 2 by Christian Moss and 1 by Amari Soule, a Woodworth to Noah Cudzilo TD pass and 6 extra point kicks by Cole Callard.

Moss rushed for 223 yards while Woodworth rushed for 102 and passed for 118 completing 8 of 9 attempts.

Click here to view more pictures from the game on our Sports Facebook page.