Tiger gridders roar past Mustangs

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Medina running back Kyle Barna looks for running room against Bennett defender Isaiah McDuffie during the Mustangs loss to the Tigers this afternoon at All High Stadium in Buffalo.

BUFFALO – Roaring out to a commanding 28-0 half-time advantage, the Bennett Tigers went on to defeat the Medina Mustangs 44-14 this afternoon at All-High Stadium in a key B-North Division game.

Bennett, which improves to 3-2 now has the inside track to locking up a Class B sectional playoff berth while Medina, which slips to 2-3, is virtually out of sectional playoff contention.

Scoring on all four first half possessions, Bennett was sparked by touchdown runs of 3, 4 and 1 yards by Paul Dixon which capped off long land marches of 65, 61 and 90 yards. Robert Humphrey later talked on a 1 yard run capping an 80 yard march boosting the Tigers advantage to 28-0.

Medina did mount two good scoring threats inside the Bennett 15 in the first half but came up empty on both occasions.

First, an 14 yard run by Kyle Barna and a 12 yard pass from quarterback Jason Hellwig to Barna helped the Mustangs drive to the Bennett two in the first quarter only to have a lost fumble wipe out the opportunity.

Then in the second quarter, a bruising, tackle busting 31 yard run by Barna and a 15 yard Hellwig to Ben McPherson pass completion moved the ball to the Tigers 14. However the Bennett defense rose to the occasion throwing Hellwig for back-to-back sacks ending that threat.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Mustang running back Dan Brown works against Tiger defender Paul Dixon as Barna throws a block.

Medina finally got on the scoreboard midway through the third quarter when Brett Pecoraro blocked a Bennett punt attempt in the end zone and recovered the ball for a touchdown making it 28-6.

The Tigers though got that one right back on a 12 yard touchdown run by Andrew White early in the fourth quarter to make it 36-6.

The Mustangs only other score came with 4:38 to go in the fourth quarter on a 4 yard touchdown run by Dan Brown. Barna added the Mustangs two-point conversion run.

Runs of 21 and 14 yards by Barna and 21 by Brown keyed that drive.

Medina, which has now lost three in a row to drop to 3-3 overall, next visits rival Albion at 7:30 p.m. Friday to close out the regular season.

Albion stayed in the thick of the race for a sectional playoff berth by edging host Lew-Port 14-6 Friday to improve to 3-2.

Following a review of the game film, Albion coaches have reported that Aaron Mulroy should be credited with the Purple Eagles final touchdown on a 1 yard fumble recovery return.

In the big B North Division contest this afternoon, host Cheektowaga scored on a 65 yard punt return with 20 seconds to go to nip Burgard 12-8 in a clash of unbeatens to claim the division championship.

The Warriors are now 5-0 and the Bulldogs 5-1 in B North competition.