Mustangs stampede past Raiders in semifinal

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 7 May 2021 at 9:53 pm

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Brian Fry makes a nifty one handed pass interception during the Mustangs sectional final win over Eden/North Collins this evening at Vets Park as Dontae Rhim helps block.

A lightning quick touchdown in the opening seconds ignited No. 2 seed Medina to a 54-6 romp over No. 3 Eden/North Collins in the Section VI Class C semifinals this evening at Vets Park.

It took just two snaps for Medina to get on the scoreboard as Brian Fry swept around end for a 42 yard touchdown run and then tacked on the two-point conversion carry for a 8-0 lead just 43 seconds into the game.

The Mustangs defense then got the ball right back for the offense just two plays later via an interception by Hayden Woodroe at the Eden/North Collins 46.

Medina’s Hayden Woodroe hauls in an interception in front of Eden/North Collins’s Quinn Harrington.

It took just four plays for the Mustang offense to capitalize as a 15 yard run by Corey Saj helped set up a 21 yard touchdown run by Fry who again added the two-point conversion carry to make it 16-0 just 3:32 into the game.

“We had a great week of practice and we came out of the gate strong and played down hill all evening,” said Medina Coach Eric Valley whose Mustangs have advanced to the sectional finals for the first time in 33 years. ” “I’m just really excited for all of them. This is a spring football season and a trip to the sectional finals that they will never forget.”

The Medina advantage soared to 32-0 before the game was 10 minutes old as quarterback Xander Payne hooked up with Tyler Chinn for a 47 yard touchdown pass with 3:48 to go in the quarter and then Chinn returned a pass interception 46 yards for a TD just 52 seconds later. Fry passed to Joe Cecchini for the two-point conversion after the first TD and then ran for the two-pointer himself after the second score.

The Medina lead ballooned to 47-3 at the half as the Mustangs scored two second quarter touchdowns on quick one play drives.

First, Fry broke free for a 61 yard TD run and then Payne completed a 48 yard TD pass to Jarin Rhim. An interception by Chinn at the Eden 46 set up that opportunity. Fry added the two-point conversion run after the first TD and Cole Seefeldt kicked the extra point in the second.

Medina defenders Jarin Rhim (4) and Joe Cecchini (3) strip the ball from Raiders quarterback CJ Sroda.

In all it took the Mustangs a total of only nine snaps to complete the five first half scoring drives.

Medina’s lone second half touchdown came on a one yard run by Saj with 2:56 to go in the third quarter as Seefeldt again added the PAT kick to make it 54-3. Chinn had a 20 yard run and Saj carries of 18 and 26 yard to highlight the drive.

Fry capped off the strong effort by the Mustangs defensive unit with a nifty one handed interception in the fourth quarter.

The Raiders only points came on a pair of field goals by Paul Winiecki of 33 yards in the first quarter and 37 yards in the fourth quarter.

Medina will now face the winner of Saturday’s semifinal between No. 4 Southwestern and No. 1 Clymer/Sherman/Panama in the Class C title contest next weekend.

Medina’s last sectional title appearance came in 1988 when the Mustangs edged past rival Albion 14-7 at then Rich Stadium.