Purple Eagles down rival Mustangs

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Tyray White races up field as Medina/Lyndonville/Barker’s Andrew Hill closes in. The action took place during the host Purple Eagles win over the rival Mustangs this evening.

Building up a 17-0 half-time advantage, Albion went on to defeat rival Medina/Lyndonville/Barker 23-6 this evening in a regular season ending football game at Albion’s Spierdowis Field. (Click here to see Albion give Brett Decker “Doc’s Rock” for safe keeping at the coin toss.)

Albion took the lead for good by driving 88 yards for a touchdown on its first possession as Tyray White scored on a 6 yard run and quarterback Thomas Frurmanski added the extra point kick.

A pair of big 21 yard runs by White, along with a 14 yard run by Furmanski and a 13 yard Furmanski to Chris Shabazz pass completion, highlighted the drive.

The Mustangs then missed a golden opportunity to get right back in the game as they failed to capitalize on an Albion fumble at the Purple Eagles 8 yard line which was recovered by Emanuel Taylor.

The Mustangs were set back by a penalty on first down and the Albion defense then stopped the next four plays to get the ball back at their own 6 yard line.

Albion’s Kevin Hillman works to get away from Mustang defenders Caleb Cudzillo and Bobby Geiger.

“That was huge,” said Albion Coach Adam Krenning of the key defensive stand. “We turned the ball over a total of four times but the kids were resilient and our defense came up big. They’ve kept us in games all season.

The Albion offense then put together another long field length drive, highlighted by a 26 yard Furmanski to Kevin Hillman pass completion, a drive which produced a 20 yard Furmanski field goal and a 10-0 Purple Eagles lead.

(Click here to see Thomas Furmanski kick a FG for Albion to make the score 10-0.)

The Purple Eagles defense then stopped the Mustangs on downs at the Medina 41 and the offense was quick to capitalize.

Overcoming a holding penalty, a 22 yard Furmanski to Hillman pass and a 12 yard run by Brillance Johnson helped to move the ball to the 15. Johnson then swept around right end for the final 15 yards for a touchdown and Furmanski’s extra point kick made it 17-0 with 6:49 to go in the second quarter.

Albion again drove deep into Medina territory just before halftime as Furmanski completed passes of 17 yards to Shabazz and 14 to Hillman.

However, the Mustangs defense turned back that threat as Zach Blount came up with a clutch interception in the end zone.

(Click here to see Blount intercept Furmanski’s pass in the endzone to end the first half.)

The Mustangs defense then stopped two Albion drives in the third quarter, first on an interception by Brian Fry and later on a fumble recovery by Taylor and yet another at the outset of the fourth quarter on a fumble recovery by Bobby Geiger.

The Mustangs offense capitalized on that last turnover as Rodney Davis scored on a 1 yard run with 6:54 to go capping the 49 yard drive. A 19 yard pass completion from quarterback Chris Goyette to Dontea Rhim and  a 10 yard run by Taylor highlighted the drive.

Goyette was the third quarterback the Mustangs used as Brian Fry and Jarin Rhim both left with injuries.

Albion though got that one right back on a 3 yard touchdown run by White with 3:34 to go. Back-to-back runs by White of 18 and 15 yards ignited that 49 yard drive.

(Click here to see Tyray White score Albion’s last TD.)

Albion’s victory in the 122nd renewal of what is one of the state’s longest high school football rivalries, gives the Purple Eagles a 68-49-5 series lead.

The win also allows Albion to retain the “Doc’s Rock” Trophy which is given annually to the victor in memory of Larry “Doc” Decker who coached and taught in both school districts.

In addition, the Jeff Evoy Memorial Sportsmanship Awards were presented to Furmanski and Geiger. The awards are presented in memory of Evoy who served as a teacher and coach at Albion and as as administrator and superintendent at Medina.

Albion finishes the regular season at 6-1 and Medina/Lyndonville/Barker 2-5.

The Purple Eagles will next host a Section VI Class B quarterfinal round playoff game next Friday evening.

Akron 46, Roy-Hart 0
Akron blanked host Roy-Hart 46-0 in a C North Division game as Aidan Smith led the way with 5 touchdowns on a 75 yard kickoff return, a 17 yard pass reception and runs of 1, 28 and 15 yards.

Mustangs back Emanuel Taylor tries to go over Albion defenders Bailey Blanchard, Brillance Johnson and Deyonci Farley.