Mustangs surge past Wildcats

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 9 October 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Jake Cotter, who scored three touchdowns, here makes a catch for Medina/Lyndonville during this evening’s win over Depew at Vets Park as Silas Garrison defends for the Wildcats.

Coming on strong in the second half with three touchdowns, Medina bested visiting Depew 26-14 this evening in a B East Division game at Vets Park.

Jake Cotter spearheaded the Mustangs attack with 210 yards rushing and 3 touchdowns on 21 carries to top the 1,000 yard rushing mark on the season with 1,014.

The Mustangs defensive unit also had a strong night led by Thomas Follman with 11 tackles and Charles Beach 10. Dylan Lewis also had an interception while Eric Neace, Beach, Follman and Dawson Joy all had sacks.

The Mustang grabbed a 6-0 lead midway through the second quarter on a 7 yard touchdown run by Cotter. A 30 yard run by Cotter highlighted the drive.

Cotter also had a big 43 yard run and a 33 yard pass reception from quarterback Tyler Valley in the first quarter to help Medina twice drive deep into Depew territory only to have penalties help to stymie both drives. Valley completed 11 of 15 psses for 158 yards on the night.

Depew answered with a 2 yard touchdown run by Matt Poblocki and an extra point kick by Ryan Guay with just five seconds to go to take a 7-6 lead at the half.

The Mustangs though regained the lead for good at 14-7 on a 4 yard touchdown run by Neace and a two-point conversion carry by Valley with 7:06 remaining in the third quarter.

Dylan Lewis intercepts a pass for the Mustangs and looks to avoid Wildcat tackler Anthony Russell.

The Mustangs defense quickly stopped three Depew drives in the quarter as Beach was in on half a dozen stops, Follman 3 and Joy added a key sack.

The Mustangs boosted the advantage to 20-7 in the first two minutes of the fourth quarter on a 60 yard touchdown run by Cotter.

Depew did close the gap to 20-14 on an 11 yard touchdown pass from Guay to Steve Nichy and an extra point kick by Guay three minutes later but the Wildcats would get no closer.

The Mustangs put a lock on the victory when Cotter took a pitch and ran 17 yards for a touchdown on a fourth down and two play with 1:40 remaining to boost the advantage to 26-14.

The Mustangs improve to 2-2 in the division and 4-2 overall while the Wildcats slip to 3-2, 3-3.

The Mustangs victory snapped a six game win streak by the Wildcats in the all-time series between the two teams which Depew still leads 15-11.

Medina/Lyndonville next visits rival Albion next Friday.