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Purple Eagles surge past Mustangs
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Demetrius Gardner tries to break loose from a group of Medina/Lyndonville tacklers including Mason Lewis and Brendan Luthart during the Purple Eagles home field win over the rival Mustangs this evening.
Stung by a pair of early scores, Albion came roaring back with a burst of five straight touchdowns in route to posting a 51-22 victory over visiting rival Medina/Lyndonville this evening.
Ugene Harrison had two long touchdown runs, Brilliance Johnson one and quarterback Bryce Pritchard ran for one score and passed to Nate Moore for another during that big Purple Eagles rally.
“The kids really rallied. They didn’t bend and they didn’t break,” exclaimed a happy Albion Coach Adam Krenning. “They just did a great job. This is an outstanding group of athletes.”
Mustangs back William Braswell looks to go around Purple Eagles defender Matt Kovaleski.
Medina/Lyndonville jumped out to an early 16-0 lead with a quick two touchdown scoring burst within span of less than two minutes midway through the first quarter.
Quarterback Izaiah Rhim ran 5 yards for the first score and then passed to Brian Fry for the two-point conversion. Jalin Cooper had a 22 yard run and a 16 yard pass reception to highlight the drive.
William Braswell then broke loose up the middle for a 77 yard TD scamper and Rhim added the two-point conversion carry doubling the Mustangs advantage to 16-0.
However, Albion got right back into the game just 48 seconds later when Harrison, who ran for 201 yards on the evening, got free for a 56 yard touchdown run and Justin Robinson tacked on the first of his seven extra point kicks. A pair of strong bulldozer style runs of 16 and 18 yards by Demetius Gardner keyed that drive.
Harrison then cut the Purple Eagles deficit to just two, 16-14, when he broke loose again this time for a 52 yard touchdown run with 5:52 to go in the second quarter.
Keeping the momentum from a strong stand by their defensive unit near the Albion goal line, the Purple Eagles offense then drove for the go ahead touchdown on a 16 yard run by Pritchard with just 36 seconds to go. A big 39 yard pass completion from Pritchard to Harrison highlighted that drive which vaulted the Purple Eagles into a 21-16 lead at the half.
Albion then broke the contest open with a pair of unanswered third quarter touchdowns to extend the lead to 35-16.
Johnson scored on a 52 yard run with 8:26 remaining in the period and then Pritchard hooked up with Moore for a 40 yard TD pass completion with 1:45 remaining. A 14 yard completion from Pritchard to JaQuess Harrison and a 10 yard run by Ugene Harrison keyed that 11 play, 74 yard drive.
After an exchange of fumbles near the Albion goal line early in the final period, Medina/Lyndonville got on the scoreboard on a 1 yard touchdown run by Rhim which cut the Albion lead to 35-22.
However, it took the Purple Eagles just 43 seconds to get that one back as Ugene Harrison had a 24 yard run and then Pritchard hooked up with Gardner for a 28 yard touchdown pass upping the Albion advantage to 42-22. Gardner made a nifty catch on the play as he initially had the ball bounce off his hands but he was able to regain control of the ball and scamper into the endzone.
Antonio Vallejo Miller rounded out the Albion scoring parade with a 22 yard touchdown run with 3:20 remaining.
The Purple Eagles had picked up two points on a safety just before that TD drive when Medina/Lyndonville was called for a penalty in the Mustangs end zone.
Albion improves to 6-1 heading into next weekend’s sectional quarterfinals while Medina/Lyndonville slips to 4-3.
Medina/Lyndonville also got some bad postseason news as Pioneer defeated Burgard 39-12 knocking the Mustangs out of contention for the 8th and final berth in the Class B sectional playoffs.
The Purple Eagles now holds a 66-49-5 lead in the series which was played for the 120th time.
The post game ceremonies included the presentation of the “Doc’s Rock” Trophy to Albion. The trophy is given in memory of Larry “Doc” Decker who taught and coached at both Medina and Albion during his career.
In addition, the first Jeff Evoy Memorial Sportsmanship Awards were presented to Albion’s JaQuess Harrison and Medina’s Brendan Luthart. The award is given in memory of the former Albion teacher and Medina superintendent who passed away in 2016.
Lackawanna 48, Roy-Hart/Barker 0
Lackawanna closed out an undefeated (5-0) B-3 Division championship season with a 48-0 win over Roy-hart/Barker at Middleport.
The Steelers took a 20-0 half-time lead on a late 80 yard interception return for a touchdown.
Brilliance Johnson breaks loose for a long touchdown run for the Purple Eagles.
Kendall, Holley and Albion score shutouts
Kendall blanked host Wheatland-Chili 3-0 and Holley nipped visiting Pembroke 1-0 in Genesee Region League boys soccer action this evening.
Mickey Gardner, Nate Warters and Brahayan Gonzalez took turns scoring the goals for Kendall which led 2-0 at the half. Gonzalez also had 2 assists and Warters 1.
Hunter Menze made 17 saves to earn the shutout in goal as the Eagles finish the regular season at 4-6 in the league and 6-10 overall.
Erik Balys scored Holley’s lone goal in the second half off an assist from Andrew Moseman.
Patrick Bower registered the shutout n goal as the Hawks wrap up the regular season at 4-4-2 in the league and 8-5-3 overall.
Albion also scored a shutout victory, 4-0 over visiting Avon, in a non league game.
Four different players contributed goals for the Purple Eagles as Tom Hollenbeck scored off an assist from Noah Goudreau, Spencer Lombard from Kendyll Hadick, Nate Scanlan from Hadick and Hadick from Scanlan.
Leading by a narrow 1-0 margin, Albion broke the contest open with three quick tallies early in the second half.
Devin Gaylord earned the shutout in goal making 9 saves.
The Purple Eagles finish the regular season at 8-8.
In Niagara-Orleans League action, Wilson (6-3-1) blanked visiting Medina/Lyndonville (2-8) 3-0 and Akron (2-7-1) upended host Roy-Hart (6-4) 2-0.
Kyle Lyon and Marcus Schwarzmueller scored in the first half for Wilson as Jared Fisher added a second half tally.
Wyatt Martin scored in the first half and Ethan Martin in the second for Akron.
Medina spikers rally to nip Albion in 5 sets
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s duo of Maddie Winters and Elle Gross block a spike attempt by Albion’s Taylor Walczak during the Mustangs come-from-behind win over the Purple Eagles this evening. Both teams wore pink uniforms in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Rebounding from a two set deficit at the outset, Medina battled back to take the next three in a row and claim a marathon 19-25, 23-25, 25-17, 25-21, 25-20 victory over visiting Albion this evening in a Niagara-Orleans League volleyball match.
Medina got back in the match by taking the third set as Je’ne Brown served up points 17-19, a run which included an ace and a tip by Camri King, and Alyssa Beyer points 21-23 as Elle Gross had a tip for point 22.
Maddie Williams followed up with a spiking kill for point 24 and the Mustangs got the set winner on a side out.
Medina’s Je’ne Brown spikes over Albion’s Haley Smith.
Keeping the momentum, Medina then tied the match by taking the fourth set as Beyer served up points 21-23 to snap a 20-20 deadlock and put the Mustangs back on top to stay.
Albion had grabbed a brief 20-19 lead as Emani Poole served up points 18-20.
The Mustangs then capped off the huge comeback with a victory in the decisive fifth set as Beyer served up the last three points in a row notching an ace for the clincher after Gross had polished off point 24 with a kill.
Medina had built up a 17-11 lead in the set as Brown served up points 8-10, a run with included a pair of kills by Williams, and then Williams scored points 15-17 as Brown registered two kills.
However, Albion battled back to within one at 20-19 and again at 21-20 as Cassandra Serafin had a kill for point 15, Caitlynn Snook an ace for No. 16 and Taylor Walczak a block for No. 18 and a kill for No. 20. The Purple Eagles though could not regain the lead.
Albion though did get off to a strong start in the match as Poole served up points 9-13 and Walczak 15-19, including a pair of aces, to key the opening set win.
Walczak then polished off the final three points of the second set with two kills and a tip to give the Purple Eagles a 2-0 lead in the match. Hailey Smith also had 3 kills and a block in the set.
Brown finished with a total of 17 kills and 6 aces, Gross 12 aces and 6 kills, King 5 kills, Williams 6 kills and 20 digs, Masse 19 assists, Faith Henning 6 assists and Beyer 14 digs for the Mustangs.
Smith had 9 kills and Walczak 6 kills and 6 aces for the Purple Eagles.
Medina is now 6-3 and Albion 0-9 in N-O competition.
Albion’s Caitlynn Snook blocks a tip by Medina’s Grace Masse.
Akron, Barker stay tied for first with wins
Defending champion Akron blanked visiting Medina 5-0 and Barker downed host Wilson 3-1 this afternoon to remain tied for the Niagara-Orleans League field hockey lead at 10-1.
Rebecca Breymeier scored three goals for Akron as Alexis Bell and Abby Stone each added one.
The loss drops Medina to 4-7.
Barker jumped out to a 2-0 half-time advantage on goals by Jillian Moeller and Ciara Gregoire. The Lady Raiders added an insurance goal in the second half by Rachel Hurtgam.
Liz Soles scored for Wilson (5-6).
Newfane snapped a season long 11 league game losing streak by downing Kenmore (1-10) 2-0 on goals by Kaylee Christy snd Madison Bunn.
Purple Eagles, Mustangs to renew rivalry
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – The century plus old football rivalry will be renewed Friday night as Albion hosts Medina/Lyndonville. Defensive players on both sides no doubt will play a key role including Jessy Cruz and Donamic Farley for the Purple Eagles and Cody Crane and Justice Hughes for the Mustangs.
No division title or playoff berth will be on the line but pride, bragging rights and the “Doc’s Rock” Trophy will be as Albion hosts Medina/Lyndonville at 7 p.m. Friday in the 120th renewal of one of New York State’s oldest schoolboy football rivalries which dates back to 1898.
Albion will be looking to rebound from a narrow 18-15 loss at Dunkirk last Friday in what was a key clash of unbeatens for the B-2 Division title.
“We’ve got to pick it up and put that one behind us,” said Albion Coach Adam Krenning whose 5-1 Purple Eagles have already clinched a spot in the upcoming Class B sectional playoffs.
Ironically, Albion’s opening round sectional game could be a rematch at Dunkirk as the Purple Eagles are the No. 6 seed and the Marauders look to be the No. 3.
Medina/Lyndonville is looking to make it three wins in row as the Mustangs are coming off a wild 58-34 victory at Alden.
“We’ve got to play better defensively. Coach Krenning has Albion playing very good football and they are a very competitive team,” said Medina Coach Eric Valley whose 4-2 Mustangs need help from Friday’s Burgard at Pioneer game in order to claim the No. 8 seed for the Class B sectionals.
Medina/Lyndonville, which has completed B-3 Division play, has +11 sectional points while Burgard is +6 and Pioneer -7. The Mustangs need Burgard to either lose or to win by less than 6 points or for Pioneer to win but by less than 18 points.
“The sectional spot is out of our hands so our one and only focus now is on the Albion game,” said Valley.
Medina/Lyndonville bested Albion 48-6 last year and the Mustangs have won 4 of the last 5.
However, Albion holds a big 65-49-5 lead in the series which over the decades has featured a number of long dominating streaks by both teams including Medina’s 19-4-1 run from 1957-1980 and Albion’s 18-3 run from 1989-2009.
“It’s a big game,” said Krenning. “The kids play harder and it’s fun to be a part of as a player and as a coach.”
“It’s a pretty exciting week,” said Valley. “Both teams are coming in with very good records. It’s a great rivalry.”
The Albion offense is led by junior quarterback Bryce Pritchard who has passed for 5 touchdowns and run for 3. His weapons include running backs Ugene Harrison (9 touchdowns) and Demetrius Gardner along with receivers Nate Moore (3 TD receptions) and JaQuess Harrison who has also been a big special teams player with two long punt returns and one kickoff return for touchdowns.
“We have to play really good defense and offensively we have to control the ball and move the chains,” said Valley. “Turnovers will play a big part so we need to secure the football.”
The Mustangs are also led by a junior quarterback, Izaiah Rhim, who passed for 13 touchdowns and run for 7 more. He has connected with six different receivers for scoring plays including Jalin Cooper (4), Mason Lewis (3), Brendan Luthart (2), Brian Fry (2), DaRon Bellan (1), and William Braswell (1). Braswell has also led the Mustangs ground attack with 4 rushing TDs.
“Defensively we’ve got to have a good game because they have some great players,” said Krenning. “We’ve got to play solid defense and our offense has to click.”
The “Doc’s Rock”Trophy, which will be presented to the winning team at the end of the game, is given annually in memory of Larry ‘Doc” Decker who served as a coach and teacher in both the Medina and Albion school districts during his career.
Also on Friday, Lackawanna (4-0, 5-1) will look to close out an undefeated B-3 Division championship season as the Steelers visit Roy-Hart/Barker (1-3, 1-5) at 7 p.m. at Roy-Hart.
On Saturday, Holley (3-1, 3-3) will look to make it four victories in a row as the Hawks host Pembroke (3-1, 5-1) at 1:30 p.m.
Albion girls blank Alexander
Building up a 2-0 half-time advantage, Albion went on to blank visiting Alexander 3-0 this evening in a rainy non league girls soccer game.
Abby Scanlan and Sarah Gregori each scored a goal in the first half for Albion, both off assists from Brylie Hapeman.
Scanlan also netted the Purple Eagles lone second half goal as Natalie DiCureia earned the assist.
Sydney Mulka earned the shutout in goal.
Improving to 8-5-1, Albion will next host Kendall at 4:15 p.m. Friday in the regular season finale.
Akron 6, Roy-Hart 0
Maggie Leeds, Kara Sequin and Jenna Robnett each scored a pair of goals to power Akron (10-2) to a 6-0 victory over host Roy-Hart (3-9) in the Niagara-Orleans League season finale for both teams.
Wilson 2, Medina 0
Skylar Munnikhuysen and Lilly O’Lay each scored a goal and Emily Kelly earned the shutout as Wilson (8-4) blanked visiting Medina/Lyndonville (3-8-1) in another N-O finale.
Newfane 7, Barker 0
Newfane (10-1-1) completed an N-O title season with a 7-0 win over Barker (0-12) as six different players contributed goals. A pair of goals by Renee Hulbert ignited the Lady Panthers as Erica Flagler had 3 assists and Taylor Heschke a goal and 2 assists.
Byron-Bergen 5, Holley 1
Miriam Tardy had 3 goals and Kelsey Fuller a goal and 2 assists to lead Byron-Bergen to a 5-1 win over Holley in a Genesee Region Legue game.
Julia Smith scored the Holley goal off an assist from Khiva Huxhold.
Maddie Papaj made 20 saves in goal for Holley.
Roy-Hart spikers down Newfane
Improving to 5-4, Roy-Hart downed host Newfane (2-7) 25-20, 25-17, 25-23 this evening in a Niagara-Orleans League volleyball match.
Olivia Vorholzer had 21 service points, including 3 aces, and 4 kills, Skyler Christopher 6 points and 9 kills and Aspen Moore 7 points, including 3 aces, 8 kills and 12 digs to lead the way for the Lady Rams.
Byron-Bergen 25-25-25, Notre Dame 20-10-22
Undefeated (10-0, 13-0) Byron-Bergen rolled to a straight set 25-20, 25-20, 25-22 Genesee Region League victory over Notre Dame as Lauren Burke had 7 kills and 7 aces and Madison Farnsworth 4 kills and 2 aces.
Adryanna Miller and Natalie Thornton both had 5 kills for Notre Dame.
Pembroke 25-22-25-23-25, Holley 21-25-13-25-17
Dekari Moss had 11 kills, Mackenzie Jurek 7 and Amanda Knauss 6 to lead Pembroke to a five set G-R win over Holley.
Ava Kohut had 6 aces and 3 kills, Allison Howard 3 aces and 1 kill and Nicole Mrzywka 7 kills and 2 aces for Holley.
Early rally ignited Lyndonville spikers
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Lyndonville’s Cassidy Boyce dives to make a return during the Lady Tigers win over visiting RAC this evening as Hannah Despard and Skyler Lear back up the play.
A big comeback win in the opening set sparked Lyndonville to a 25-22, 25-21, 25-22 victory over visiting Rochester Academy Charter this evening in a non league volleyball match.
Trailing 18-7, Lyndonville rallied to take the opening set as Hannah Despard served up points 9-12, a run which included 2 aces and a spiking kill by Alecia Hinkson, and Natalie Ostrowski scored points 14-20, including 6 aces, to rally the Lady Tigers into a 20-20 tie.
Lyndonville then took five of the next six points to claim the win as kills by Despard and Paige Gardner polished off points 21 and 23 and aces by Hinkson and Cassie Maynard finished off points 22 and 25.
Paige Gardner serves up a point for Lyndonville.
Keeping the momentum, Lyndonville jumped out to an early 7-2 lead in the second set after Maynard served up 4 straight aces.
However, this time it was RAC which came battling back to take leads of 16-15 and 18-17.
Lyndonville though turned back the challenge to again take five of the final six points as Skyler Lear served up points 22-24, a run which included an ace and a kill by Hinkson. Another kill by Carlie Russo then polished off the set winner to give the Lady Tigers a commanding 2-0 lead in the match.
The third set proved to be a little closer to the first as Lyndonville had to rally from deficits of 16-12, 18-13 and 20-15 to claim the win.
A spike kill by Cassidy Boyce for point 16 and an ace by Maynard for point 17 ignited the Lady Tigers comeback.
Joyce Stamp followed up by serving points 18-21, a run which featured a pair of kills by Russo.
The Lady Tigers then closed out the set and the match by scoring four of the final five points as Boyce had a kill for point 22.
Hinkson, Maynard and Russo each finished with 5 kills. Maynard also had 6 aces, Hinkson 5 and Gardner 3 as Depard added 13 digs and Russo 2 blocks.
Lyndonville improves to 6-8 on the season.
Lyndonville’s Carlie Russo blocks a spike attempt by RAC’s Tylasia Weaver.
Albion girls, Barker boys score two X-C wins
Photos by Tom Rivers – In today’s tri-meet at Albion, Barker’s Peter DiLorenzo heads toward a win for the Raiders. At right is Albion’s Hannah Grammer. The Barker boys and Albion girls teams both scored a pair of wins.
The Albion girls cross-country team scored a home course sweep over Akron (20-38) and Barker (22-38) this afternoon to improve to 5-1 in Niagara-Orleans League competition.
Akron (3-1) downed Barker (0-4) 23-38 in the other portion of the meet.
Albion was led by the 2-4-6 finish of Alanna Holman, Emma Mathes and Mallory Adams.
Akron’s Margo Henley won the race in 20:51 as the Barker duo of Gabby Barker and Serena Harris finished third and fifth respectively.
The Barker boys downed Albion 16-47 and Akron 21-40 to improve to 3-1. Akron (2-2) downed Albion (1-5) 21-36 in the other portion of the meet.
Barker was sparked by the 1-3-4 finish of Peter DiLorenzo, Andrew Jenks and Adam Woodworth.
Akron had Zach Sanford finish second and Casey Zuba fifth.
Wilson defeated host Medina 23-38 in the boys meet and 22-33 in the girls competition.
Medina’s Dan Heil won the boys race as the Wilson duo of Will Schwarzmueller and Nathan Johnson finished second and third.
Medina’s Sabrina Quioris won the girls race ahead of the 2-3 finish of the Wilson duo of Shay Munnikhuysen and Jen Reagan.
Purple Eagle booters blank Mustangs
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Kendyll Hadick drives by Medina/Lyndonville’s Owen Frasier during the Purple Eagles win over the Mustangs this evening at Vets Park.
Completing a home and home season series sweep, Albion blanked Medina/Lyndonville 5-0 in a Niagara-Orleans League boys soccer game this evening at Vets Park.
Albion, which won the earlier meeting 6-1 at home, jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first half as Nate Scanlan scored off an assist from Kendyll Hadick and Preston Flugel tallied from Tre Yaskulski.
The Purple Eagles then locked up the victory on second half goals by Spencer Lombard off an assist from Hadick, Nate Smith on a penalty kick and Tom Hollenback from Noah Goudreau.
Albion finished the league campaign at 4-6 while Medina slips to 2-7 heading into Thursday’s finale at Wilson.
Newfane 8, Akron 0
Newfane completed a 9-1 N-O title season with an 8-0 victory over Akron (1-7-1) as Trevor Moreland, Mateo May and Jarrett Gilson each scored a pair of goals. Moreland also had 4 assists and Max Weber 2.
Roy-Hart 3, CCA 0
Jamasen Johnson had 2 goals and an assist and Aidan Bligh a goal and assist to lead Roy-Hart past CCA 3-0 in a non league game. Kodey Hayes earned the shutout in goal.
Medina/Lyndonville’s Ethan Leonard works the ball around Albion’s Preston Flugel.
Albion’s Spencer Lombard starts his drive toward the goal against Medina/Lyndonville defenders Kane Flynn, Brandon Heschke and Jonathan Pietrafesa.
