Mustangs to visit division leading Bulldogs in key B East contest

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina/Lyndonville running backs Jake Cotter, left, and Eric Neace and their Mustang teammates will visit division leading Alden Friday.

Facing the biggest challenge to date, Medina/Lyndonville visits undefeated division leading Alden at 7 p.m. Friday in a key B East game.

Alden improved to 3-0 in the division and 4-0 overall last week by handing Depew (2-1) its first B East loss by a 26-6 margin as running back Lyle Grant sparked the Bulldogs with 179 yards rushing and 2 touchdowns.

Medina/Lyndonville, which is 1-1 in the division and 3-1 overall, needs victory in order to stay in both the B East title chase and in the hunt for a sectional playoff berth.

Looking to keep the momentum from two straight victories, the Mustangs have been sparked offensively on the ground by the 1-2 junior running back duo of Jake Cotter (717 yards rushing and 7 touchdowns) and Eric Neace (328 yards rushing and 5 touchdowns. The air attack also is led by the 1-2 combination of sophomore Jalin Cooper (9 catches for 101 yards and 2 touchdowns) and senior Dylan Lewis (8 catches for 112 yards and 2 touchdowns).

Alden holds a 9-5 lead in the series with the Mustangs which began in 1924. The Bulldogs have won the last five encounters including a 25-0 win in their last meeting in 2013.

Albion at Pioneer

In a matchup of 1-3 teams, Albion visits Pioneer at 7 p.m. Friday in an interdivisional game as the Purple Eagles look to snap a three game losing streak.

Plagued by a rash of turnovers in each outing, Albion has dropped three straight decisions to the B East Division’s top three teams losing 20-7 to Alden, 28-13 to Depew and 14-12 to East Aurora/Holland last Friday.

It will be the first ever gridiron meeting between Albion and Pioneer.

Barker/Roy-Hart vs. East High, Erie, Pa.

Barker/Roy-Hart will face a Pennsylvania foe for the first time hosting East High of Erie at 2 p.m. Saturday at Middleport.

East, like Barker/Roy-Hart is 0-4 on the season, however the Warriors face a challenging schedule which includes Erie, Pa. foes Cathedral Prep, Strong Vincent and McDowell.

Holley at Pembroke

Both teams will be looking to snap season long four game losing streaks as Holley visits Pembroke at 7 p.m. Friday in a Genesee Region League contest.

Pembroke, which is coached by former long-time Albion mentor Dick Diminuco, holds a 7-4 lead in the series though Holley won last year’s meeting 37-19.

Standings

B East Division – Alden 3-0, 4-0, East Aurora/Holland 2-0, 3-1, Depew 2-1, 2-2, Medina/Lyndonville 1-1, 3-1, Albion 0-3, 1-3, Barker/Roy-Hart 0-3, 0-4.

G-R League – Notre Dame 4-0, 4-0, Attica 3-0, 3-1, Elba/Byron-Bergen 3-1, 3-1, Alexander 1-2, 2-2, Oakfield-Alabama 1-3, 2-2, Holley 0-3, 0-4, Pembroke 0-4, 0-4.