Mustangs edge past Warriors in B-3 opener

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – DaRon Bellan hauls in a touchdown pass for Medina/Lyndonville’s first score in the win at Tonawanda this evening.

Having to twice answer a touchdown with a touchdown in the second half to regain a double digit lead, Medina/Lyndonville edged past host Tonawanda 26-15 this evening in the Mustangs B-3 Division opener.

Tonawanda twice sliced the Medina/Lyndonville lead to just five points down the stretch, first at 14-9 after a 12 yard touchdown run by Noah Ray with 7:31 remaining in the third quarter and then at 20-15 after a 10 yard TD run by Quintern Brader with 11:05 to go in the final period.

Mustangs running back William Braswell looks for an opening.

However, both times the Mustangs answered right back with clutch long touchdown runs by quarterback Izaiah Rhim, the first of 45 yards to 3:20 to go in the third quarter to make it 20-9 and the second of 35 yards to make it 26-15 with 9:58 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Despite several lost fumbles, Medina/Lyndonville had jumped out to a 14-2 lead at the half on a 32- yard Rhim to DaRon Bellan and two-point conversion carry by William Braswell with 9:01 to go in the first quarter and a 13 yard TD carry by Braswell with 4:18 remaining in the second period.

The Mustangs defensive unit came up big in the first half to stop five Tonawanda drives into Medina/Lyndonville territory.  A fumble recovery by Rhim along with interceptions by Brendan Luthart and Mason Lewis stymied three of those Warrior threats. Jorge Phillips and Elijah Sones also had key tackles for losses which helped to halt drives during that stretch.

Rhim finished with 113 yards rushing and Braswell 104.

On defense, Ian Joseph had 12 tackles and a sack and Justice Hughes 2 sacks.

Medina, which next hosts Newfane next Friday to open the renovated Veterans Memorial Park, is now 2-0 while Tonawanda slips to 0-2.

Mustangs quarterback Izaiah Rhim runs for his second touchdown.