Purple Eagles, Mustangs set to renew rivalry

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Quarterbacks Thomas Furmanski of Albion, left, and Brian Fry of Medina/Lyndonville/Barker will lead their teams into Friday’s 7 p.m. rivalry contest at Albion.

The 122nd renewal of one of the state’s oldest schoolboy football rivalries will be renewed Friday night as Albion hosts Medina/Lyndonville/Barker at 7 p.m.

Albion, which has won three of the last four meetings including a 34-12 victory last fall, holds a 67-49-5 lead in the all-time series which dates back to 1898.

Albion, which is looking to rebound from a 42-30 loss at Amherst last Saturday, brings a 5-1 record into the contest.

Medina/Lyndonville/Barker, which is looking to keep the momentum from a 20-14 victory at Akron last Friday, is 2-4 on the season.

The victor will receive the “Doc’s Rock” Trophy which is given in memory of the late Larry “Doc” Decker who served as a coach and teacher at both school districts.

Quarterback Thomas Furmanski, who has passed for 9 touchdowns and run for 3 more, leads the Albion offense. Kevin Hillman has been on the receiving end of 6 of those TD aerials.

On the ground, the Purple Eagles have Tyray White with 6 rushing touchdowns, Brillance Johnson 4 and Deyonci Farley 3.

The Purple Eagles defense has also contributed to the point production as Chris Shabazz has returned 2 interceptions for touchdowns and Hillman returned a fumble recovery for another TD.

Mustangs quarterback/wide receiver Brian Fry has had a hand in 10 of the team’s 11 touchdowns to date including 5 rushing, 2 passing, 2 receiving and 1 on a kickoff return.

JV game to match unbeatens
It will be a clash of unbeatens when the Albion and Medina JV teams meet at 10 a.m. Saturday at Vets Park as both teams have 6-0 records.. Over the past two years the Purple Eagles and Mustangs have both compiled 13-1 records.

Holley, Roy-Hart have home games
Holley will host Pembroke at 1:30 p.m. Saturday in an 8 Man Division game. The Hawks and Dragons are both 2-1.

Roy-Hart will host Akron at 7 p.m. Friday in a C North Division game. The Tigers are 2-2 in the division and 3-3 overall while the Rams re 0-4, 0-6.