Mustangs football squad has a strong skills position group but has low numbers

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Anchoring the Medina lineup is this group of veteran upper classmen. In front are Jayzon Wills, Hadrian Batista, Kolton Fletcher and Avion Johnson. In back are Matthew Jacobs, Frankie Stephens, Preston Woodworth, Christian Moss and Jerrell Nealy.

A talented veteran group of skill position players is the strong point but low squad numbers is the big concern as Medina preps for the September 5 football opener at Silver Creek/Forestville.

“I’m very pleased with our skill positions but we have some holes to fill on the line,” said Coach Eric Valley. “We just don’t have a lot of depth so staying healthy will be the key to our success. We have to make the most of what we have and hopefully our skill players will carry us early on.”

The Mustangs veteran skill positions group includes junior quarterback Preston Woodworth, senior running back Christian Moss, junior running back Jayzon Wills, senior wide receivers Kolton Fletcher and Jerrell Nealy, senior tight end Avion Johnson and junior wide receiver/quarterback Hadrian Batista.

The receiving corps has been bolstered by the addition of senior Vinny Gray who is also playing soccer.

Woodworth passed for 900 yards and 10 touchdowns last fall while Moss rushed for 1,860 yards and 25 touchdowns.

Senior Frankie Stephens and junior Matthew Jacobs provide some veteran experience on the line.

The Mustangs linemen also includes sophomores Ryan Frentz, Cole Herman, Nate Surdel and Zahkias Chinn.

The squads’ other returners include sophomore linebackers Jackson McGrath and Harriosn Farley along with freshmen Jude Lacy (wide receiver) and Kendrick Russaw (running back).

The Mustangs graduation losses included linebacker/offensive lineman Brody Fry, place kicker Cole Callard, tight ends Carter Woodworth and Braydin McEwen-Miler and lineman Ethan Carson.

Medina will also visit Alden on Sept. 12 before hosting Barker/Roy-Hart in the home opener on Thursday Sept. 18 at 5:30 p.m.

However, the Mustangs schedule does not include a regular season ending rivalry weekend game against rival Albion.

Section VI schedule makers were unable to include that contest on the schedule because Medina’s decision 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 had to be redone as Albion is in Class B, a task which schedule makers were unwilling to do.

Instead of Albion, Medina will close out the regular season with a non league home game against Batavia.