Mustangs douse Flames in finale

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 28 October 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina/Lyndonville back Jake Cotter picks up yardage as Nick Falkides makes the tackle for Williamsville East. The action took place during the Mustangs rainy win over the Flames this evening at Vets Park.

Breaking away from a 14-14 half-time deadlock, Medina/Lyndonville scored touchdowns on four of five second half possessions to earn a 42-20 victory over Williamsville East in a rainy match-up game season finale this evening at Vets Park.

Quarterback Tyler Valley threw four touchdown passes, including two to Eric Neace and one each to Jake Cotter and Jalin Cooper, to spearhead the Mustangs offense which also included TD runs by Cotter and Tom Follman.

Valley, who has 11 TD passes on the season, passed for a total of 182 yards and Cotter, who has 1,441 yards rushing, gained 156 yards on the ground.

Two interceptions by Mason Lewis and one by Izaiah Rhim highlighted the Mustangs defensive effort. Follman also had 10 tackles and a sack and Johnny Salone a sack.

Williamsville East did grab an early 7-0 lead by scoring a touchdown on a blocked punt.

However, Medina/Lyndonville answered right back just three plays after the ensuing kickoff as Valley hooked up with Neace for a 35 yard touchdown pass play. Cotter added the two-point conversion run giving the Mustangs an 8-7 lead.

Eric Neace scores for the Mustangs on a touchdown pass from quarterback Tyler Valley as Flames defender Brian Morreale chases him.

The Mustangs made it 14-7 on a 24 yard Valley to Neace touchdown pass with 7:20 to go in the second quarter. A short Will East punt out of the end zone to the Flames 24 set up that short scoring drive.

The Flames though quickly countered with a long touchdown pass to knot the contest at 14-14.

Will East did mount one more drive just before half-time but the Mustangs defense halted that on a nifty leaping one handed interception by Rhim.

The Mustangs regained the lead for good at 22-14 by scoring on the opening drive of the second half as Valley connected with Cotter for a 20 yard touchdown run. Valley also passed to Neace for the two-point conversion.

A 22 yard pass completion from Valley to Cooper and a 13 yard run by Cotter ignited that drive.

The Mustangs defensive unit quickly stopped the Flames next drive as Follman registered a key sack.

Mason Lewis of the Mustangs comes around end as Flames defender Nick Falkides pursues.

Keeping the momentum, the Mustangs offense quickly drove in for another score on a 12 yard TD run by Cotter. Valley threw a two-point conversion pass to Mason Lewis to make it 30-14 with 2:08 remaining in the third quarter.

A 30 yard pass from Valley to Cooper started that drive.

The Flames did score late in the quarter to cut the deficit to 30-20 but the Mustangs got that one right back on the first play of the fourth quarter as Valley tossed a 19 yard touchdown pass to Cooper for a 36-20 lead.

Follman rounded out the Mustangs scoring with a two yard touchdown run with 3:18 remaining to make it 42-20.

Medina/Lyndonville finishes the season at 6-3 and Williamsville East at 3-6.