Panthers stop Mustangs in season finale

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 27 October 2016 at 8:38 pm
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Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina/Lyndonville’s Dustin Joy eludes a couple of Pioneer defenders to gain yardage during the Mustangs loss to the Panthers this evening at Vets Park.

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Mason Lewis looks to gain yardage for the Mustangs.

Streaking Pioneer made it four wins in a row by downing Medina/Lyndonville 17-6 this evening in a season ending non league game at Vets Park.

Pioneer built up a 10-0 advantage on a 23 yard field goal by Kyle Burley with 42 seconds to go in the first quarter and a 25 yard run with a blocked punt for a touchdown by Jason Gauthier with 10:12 remaining in the third quarter.

Medina/Lyndonville, which crossed midfield only once in the first half, closed the gap to 10-6 as Jalin Cooper swept around end for a 14 yard touchdown run with 4:45 remaining in the third quarter but the Mustangs could not find the end zone again.

A 13 yard fourth down pass from quarterback Izaiah Rhim to Mason Lewis keyed that drive which also included 9 yard runs by Rhim and Ronnie Koonce.

However, the Panthers got that one back midway through the fourth quarter on a 17 yard touchdown run by Gauthier and an extra point kick by Burley to make it 17-6. A big 31 yard fourth down pass completion from quarterback Nick Rinker to Mike Rigerman keyed that drive.

The Pioneer defense then locked up the victory by stopping the Mustangs final possession on an interception by Gauthier.

The Mustangs lone threat of the first half came late as pass completions by Rhim of 14 yards to Cooper and 11 yards to Eric Neace and a 20 yard run by Neace moved the ball to the Panthers 10 where the drive stalled out as the half ended.

The Mustangs, which played without season long rushing leader running back Jake Cotter (829 yards, 8 touchdowns) who was injured in last week’s loss to Lackawnna, also  had Rhim leave the game with an injury in the third quarter as Koonce came on to finish up at quarterback.

The Panthers finish the season at 5-4 and the Mustangs at 6-3.

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Mustangs linebacker Eric Neace comes in to sack Panthers quarterback Nick Rinker.