Mustangs romp in Spring football opener

Photos by Cheryl Wertmman – Medina’s Iverson Poole (2)  breaks through the line for a big gain during the Mustangs season opening win over Newfane at Vets Park this evening.

A potent offense and a stingy defense combined to power Medina to a 50-0 romp over Newfane at Vets Park this evening as the Mustangs made a sparkling debut to Spring football and to the C North Division.

Junior Xander Payne, who was making his varsity quarterbacking debut for the Mustangs, threw three touchdown passes, two to Tyler Chinn and one to Joe Cecchini, and also ran for a score. Iverson Poole also ran for a pair of scores.

For his first varsity start Xander did a real good job,” said Coach Eric Valley. “He kept his composure and threw the ball very well.

An interception return for a touchdown by Corey Saj along with a sack by Jarin Rhim, four tackles for losses by Chase Weese and three by Zach Oliver highlighted the big shutout effort by the Mustangs defensive unit.

“That was one of the best defensive games I’ve seen in a while,” said Valley. “We really played physical.”

Medina defenders Chase Weese and Colvin Stalker team up to tackle Newfane’s Jason Dumais for a loss.

Taking charge at the outset, Medina jumped out to a 16-0 first quarter lead.

Cecchini hauled in a 9 yard touchdown pass from Payne for the first score and Brian Fry added the two-point conversion run.

Runs of 17 and 15 yards by Fry and a 19 yard pass from Payne to Cecchini highlighted the drive.

Fry then had a big 50 yard punt return to set up the Mustangs second score which came on a 12 yard run by Poole. Payne added the two-point conversion pass to Cecchini.

Meanwhile, the stingy Mustangs defensive unit held the Panthers to minus yardage in the quarter.

Medina upped the advantage to 30-0 at the half as Payne completed touchdown passes of 26 and 31 yards to Chinn in the second quarter. Fry added the two-point conversion run after the second tally.

With Weese and Oliver spearheading the pressure with several tackles for losses, the Mustang defense again held the Panthers to minus yardage in the quarter.

Payne scored himself on an 7 yard TD run midway through the third quarter and Poole added the two-point conversion run to make it 38-0.  Fry had a 23 yard run and a 22 yard pass reception from Payne to highlight the drive.

Just seconds later Saj intercepted a pass and returned it 25 yards for a touchdown to upping the advnatage to 44-0.

Poole capped off the Mustangs scoring parade with an 8 yard touchdown run on the first play of the fourth quarter to make the final 50-0.

Snow flurries filled the air in the final quarter and with the temperature in the low 30’s made it really seem like a true fall football evening.

Medina next visits Akron and Newfane travels to Tonawanda next Friday evening at 7.

Medina’s Brian Fry heads up field as Joe Cecchini blocks Newfane’s Jason Dumais.