Fast start keys Mustangs romp over Warriors

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Joe Cecchini breaks in to block a punt attempt by Tonawanda’s Mike Thomas during the Mustangs win over the Warriors at Vets Park this evening.

Getting touchdowns from the offense, defense and special teams in the first 11 minutes for a quick commanding 24-0 lead, undefeated Medina went on to blitz Tonawanda 62-0 in a C North Division game this evening at Vets Park.

The victory boosts Medina’s record to 4-0 in the division and 6-0 overall heading into Monday’s key make up game at Vets Park against Akron which is 3-0 in the division.

It took the Medina offensive unit just 41 seconds to get on the scoreboard as on the second play from scrimmage Iverson Poole broke loose for a 35 yard touchdown run. Cayden Lilleby, who caught a 17 yard pass from quarterback Xander Payne on the first snap, tacked on the two-point conversion run for a quick 8-0 lead.

The Mustangs defensive unit upped the lead to 16-0 when Greg Thompson returned a pass interception 95 yards for a touchdown and Payne added the two-point conversion run.

The lead jumped to 24-0 when the Mustangs special teams unit got a blocked punt by Robert Arnold and Dominic Larabee recovered the ball in the Tonawanda end-zone for a touchdown with 1:48 to go in the quarter. Poole tacked on the two-point conversion run.

The Medina special teams unit came up big again on the final play of the opening quarter as Joe Cecchini blocked a Tonawanda punt giving the Mustangs possession at the Warrior 30.

It took the Mustangs offense just one play to capitalize as Payne hooked up with Jarin Rhim for a 30 yard TD pass to open the second quarter. Poole’s two-point conversion run made it 32-0.

The Medina lead ballooned to 46-0 at the half as Poole scored on a 27 yard touchdown run and Lilleby on a 64 yard TD run before the quarter ended. Lilleby also tacked on the two-point conversion. A pass interception by Thompson set up that opportunity.

The Mustang defensive unit’s big first half also included Hayden Woodroe with 8 tackles and Cecchini a sack and two tackles for losses.

Poole had a 66 yard touchdown run, Arnold a two-point conversion run and Brody Fry a 39 yard TD run and a two point conversion carry in the third quarter to round out the Mustangs scoring parade.

The loss drops Tonawanda to 0-5 in the division and 0-7 overall.

Medina’s Brody Fry follows the block by Roosevelt Mitchell in route to a third quarter touchdown.