Medina, Albion meet on scrimmage Saturday

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Kolton Fletcher goes high to intercept a pass during this morning’s scrimmage action against Albion at Barker.

They normally meet on the final weekend of the regular season – rivalry weekend – but instead Albion and Medina renewed their football rivalry this morning at a season opening six team scrimmage at Barker.

Except for a few planned joint practices during the season this will be their only meeting. Because of some scheduling issues the Purple Eagles and Mustangs will not play each other in a regular season game this fall.

Section VI schedule makers were unable to include that contest in the schedule because Medina’s decsion to return to 11 man football (after briefly opting to go to 8 man because of low numbers) came after the sectional schedule had been put together. In order to include the Medina vs. Albion game both the Class C and Class B schedules would have to be redone as Albion is in Class B, a task which schedule makers were unwilling to do.

Albion’s Devonte Jones goes up to grab a pass against Medina.

Except for the Covid caused abbreviated 2021 spring season, Albion and Medina had met on the football field every fall since 1920.

This morning the Purple Eagles and Mustangs went against each other in a pair of 12 minute quarters. Each team had one quarter on offense and one on defense.

In addition to host Barker/Roy-Hart the other teams participating in the scrimmage were Wilson, Oakfield-Alabama/Elba and Greece Olympia.

The regular season will begin this coming Friday at 7 p.m. with Albion at Lew-Port, Medina at Silver Creek/Forestville and Barker/Roy-Hart at Newfane.

Barker/Roy-Hart running back Joe Reiter picks up yardage against the Albion defense.

Medina running back Jayzon Wills works to avoid a couple of would be Albion tacklers.

Albion quarterback Bo Preston lets go with a pass against the rush of Medina defender Matthew Jacobs.

Barker/Roy-Hart quarterback Tysen McCaa delivers a pass.

Medina quarterback Preston Woodworth passes ahead of an on rushing Oakfield-Alabama/Elba defender.

Medina running back Christian Moss looks for running room against Albion as Tyler Raduns provides a block.

Barker/Roy-Hart receiver Carter DerSarkissian hauls in a pass.

Medina receiver Avion Johnson works to get past an Albion defender.