Mustangs roll to Homecoming victory

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 25 September 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Jake Cotter (35) breaks loose for one of his three touchdown runs for Medina/Lyndonville during the Mustangs Homecoming win over Barker/Roy-Hart this evening at Vets Park.

Lightning quick touchdowns just before and just after halftime keyed Medina/Lyndonville to a 50-15 Homecoming victory over Barker/Roy-Hart in a B East Division game this evening at Vets Park.

Leading by a narrow 14-7 margin, the Mustangs broke the contest open when Jake Cotter scored on a 61 yard touchdown run with only 1:20 remaining in the second quarter and on a 32 yard TD carry just 35 seconds into the third quarter to quickly balloon the advantage to 28-7.

Cotter, who rushed for 244 yards on only 8 carries, also had an 82 yard touchdown run with 4:32 to go in the third quarter to make it 36-7. He also tacked on the first of his two two-point conversions.

Barker/Roy-Hart’s Edward Wasnock goes up to make a catch against Mustangs defender Mason Lewis.

The Mustangs tacked on two more long scoring plays in the fourth quarter as Eric Neace ran 65 yards for one touchdown and Jalin Cooper 51 yards for another.

The Mustangs had jumped out to an early 14-0 lead as Cooper scored on a 45 yard pass reception from quarterback Tyler Valley in the first quarter and on a 17 yard run on a reverse play with 6:26 to go in the second quarter. A big 41 yard run by Cotter set up that threat as Valley tacked on the two-point conversion run.

Barker/Roy-Hart answered back with a 1 yard touchdown run by Eric Fitch and an extra point kick by Noah Rocklein to cut the deficit to 14-7 with 1:40 to go in the opening half.

Jalin Cooper breaks loose for a touchdown run for the Mustangs as Ryan Ulrich tries to make the tackle for Barker/Roy-Hart. It was one of his three touchdowns on the evening.

However, Medina/Lyndonville answered right back with Cotter’s 61 yard touchdown run just 20 seconds later and the Mustangs were off and rolling.

Barker/Roy-Hart also had a fourth quarter touchdown on a 2 yard run by Ryan Ulrich.

Andy Xapsos passed to Rocklein for the two-point conversion.

A fumble recovery by Powell Stephens and a sack by Charles Beach highlighted the defensive effort for the Mustangs.

Medina/Lyndonville, which improves to 1-1 in the division and 3-1 overall next visits front-running Alden next Friday night.

The loss drops Barker/Roy-Hart to 0-3, 0-4.