Purple Eagles, Mustangs set to begin key B North Division stretch run

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 2 October 2014 at 12:00 am

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Manny Thompson (14) and his Albion teammates will host Lew-Port while Medina visits Barker/Roy-Hart at 7 p.m. Friday in B North Division games.

Looking to stay in the chase for a sectional playoff berth Albion and Medina will both begin key stretch runs on Friday of three straight games to close out the B North Division football season.

Albion will host Lew-Port and Medina will face Barker/Roy-Hart at Middleport in 7 p.m. contests.

First place in the B North Div. will also be on the line this weekend as long time City of Buffalo foes Bennett and Burgard will clash Saturday at All High Stadium in a battle of undefeated (3-0, 4-0) teams.

Currently riding a three game winning streak Albion, which is 2-1 in the division and 3-1 overall, is not only in the hunt for a playoff berth but also a possible share of the B North title. In order for that to happen the Purple Eagle will have to score wins over their final three division opponents (Lew-Port, Bennett and Medina) and also have Bennett defeat Burgard which handed Albion its lone loss (26-20).

Lew-Port, which at 2-2 is also in the chase for a playoff berth, is looking to rebound from back-to-back losses to Burgard (22-7) and Bennett (42-7).

Quarterback Kyle Smith, who has run for four touchdowns and passed for three more, leads Albion’s balanced attack which also includes Manny Thompson and Trey Hart each with five touchdowns and Des Blackmon with two.

Albion holds a 6-1 lead in the series with Lew-Port including a narrow 14-6 victory over the Lancers last year.

Medina, which has dropped out of the division title races after lopsided losses to both Bennett (46-14) and Burgard (36-6), needs to win its final three B North games against Barker/Roy-Hart, Lew-Port and Albion in order to keep its sectional playoff hopes alive.

Barker/Roy-Hart snapped a season opening three game losing streak last week by rallying past winless (0-4) Newfane 24-21 with a touchdown from quarterback Andy Xapsos to Austin Doepp in the final minute.

Quarterback Jason Hellwig has passed for seven touchdowns and running back Brett Pecoraro has rushed for five scores to lead the Medina offense.

The Mustangs downed Barker/Roy-hart 38-22 in their last meeting in 2012.

First place in the other two Class B Divisions will also be on the line this weekend in clashes of unbeatens. In the B Central, Cheektowaga (2-0) takes on Depew (4-0) while in the B South Olean (3-0) faces East Aurora (3-0).

In Genesee Region League action, Holley will host Pembroke at 1:30 p.m. Saturday in a matchup of teams looking to snap season long four game losing streaks. Pembroke is coached by former long-time Albion mentor Dick Diminuco.

B North Division Standings: Bennett 3-0, 4-0; Burgard 3-0, 4-0; Albion 2-1, 3-1; Lew-Port 2-2, 2-2; Medina 1-2, 2-2; Barker/Roy-Hart 1-3, 1-3; Newfane 0-4, 0-4.

Genesee Region League Standings: Attica 3-0, 4-0; Elba/Byron-Bergen 3-1, 3-1; Alexander 2-1, 2-2; Oakfield-Alabama 2-1, 2-2; Notre Dame 2-2, 2-2; Holley 0-3, 0-4; Pembroke 0-4, 0-4.