Recalling some memorable Albion and Medina sectional title games at the stadium
Today’s final regular season Buffalo Bills game at Highmark Stadium also brings an end to an era of area high school football as the Section VI playoffs have been held at the stadium since 1979 (except for the Covid season).
The Albion and Medina football teams have played a good number of sectional championship games at the stadium. In fact, the two teams took turns playing in each of the first five games at what was then called Rich Stadium, all of which were victories for the Purple Eagles and Mustangs.
This scribe has enjoyed covering all of the local title games from the sideline at the stadium. The following are a few photos from some of those memorable contests. As a sidenote, this scribe also enjoyed being at the Bills inaugural game at the stadium in 1973, a preseason contest against the Washington Redskins.
File Photos – Albion in fact had the distinction of playing in the inaugural sectional title game in 1979 as the Purple Eagles nipped Springville 13-12. Dan Monacelli, shown here picking up yardage during the game, scored all of Albion’s points. The Purple Eagles also scored title game victories over Frewsburg (49-14) in 1981, Silver Creek (35-6) in 1983 and Salamanca (15-8) in 1987.
Medina also made a very successful stadium debut in 1980 defeating Silver Creek 20-14 led by running back Eddie Bloom who is shown here in action during the game. The Mustangs also posted a title win over Cassadaga Valley (26-7) in 1982 led by running back Dave Fluellen.
The Medina – Albion rivalry was also showcased on Western New York’s biggest stage at the stadium in 1988 as the Mustangs edged the Purple Eagles 14-7. The Mustangs were led by running back Jim Snyder, shown here, who scored both touchdowns.
Most recently Medina scored a very snowy victory over Fredonia (58-6) in the 2021 stadium title contest. Here quarterback Xander Payne hands off to Noah Skinner early in the game when the snow came down the hardest.
