By John D'Onofrio<br><a href="mailto:john.donofrio@lockportjournal.com">E-mail John</a>
MIDDLEPORT — If Nate Meier was the “workhorse” Friday night, then he’s definitely a “mudder.”
Meier sloshed through mud and rain for a career high 201 yards on just 15 carries, sparking the visiting Lakemen to a 32-0 victory over Royalton-Hartland in a Class C North contest at rain-soaked Bruno Pacini Field.
“I give all the credit to the offensive line. They created some nice cut-back lanes for me tonight,” said a mud-soaked Meier, who rushed earlier this year for 169 yards.
The Lakemen senior scored on TD runs of 15 and 11 yards in the first quarter, then scampered 74 yards to paydirt just before halftime as head coach Bill Atlas’ team improved to 4-2 both overall and in C North.
“I give it up for our O-line,” Atlas said.
“We had two tough weeks before this against some tough defenses. I was worried about Roy-Hart tonight, but our guys established the line of scrimmage.”
Leading 14-0 in the second quarter, Wilson quarterback John Vincent (9-of-13 passing, 121 yards, TD) tossed a 30-yard scoring pass to junior wide receiver Cody Reimers (4 catches, 96 yards, TD) to make it 21-0, then just before halftime, Meier broke several tackles en route to a 74 yard TD run, finishing with 179 yards and three TDS in the first half alone.
Wilson’s Derrick Smith (3 PATs, 1 FG) booted a 25-yard field goal in atrocious conditions to round out the Lakemen scoring.
Also running well for Wilson were junior Brandon Konstanty (8 rushes, 51 yards) and Vincent (6 rushes, 48 yards). Senior wide receiver Ethan Baker added two catches for 26 yards and Josh Kraft recorded a 20-yard catch.
For head coach Chris Smith’s Rams (1-4 C North, 1-5 overall), sophomore quarterback Connor Baker continues to stand tall in the pocket. Baker finished 7-of-17 passing for 69 yards, but had passes dropped throughout. Senior Jeff Swick and Matt Hayes each had two catches for the purple and white. Bryan Warren, Antonio Ciraolo and Burtya also had catches.
Roy-Hart freshman running back Brandon Buryta finished with 60 yards on 14 carries, Dillon Bender had 23 yards on four carries and junior Casey Manicki chipped in with 22 yards on three carries.
“We had too many missed tackles out there today,” Smith said.
“Our seniors played their hearts out in their last home game.”
Leading the Rams defensively were Bender and senior wrecking ball Ryan Brigham.
Medina 40, Tonawanda 7
MEDINA — A big, three-touchdown second quarter scoring burst sparked Medina to a 40-7 victory over Tonawanda in a B-North contest Friday night at Vets Park.
Breaking away from a scoreless deadlock, Medina got one-yard touchdown runs by Maurel Johnson and Stephen Dutcher within a span of a minute and a half early in the second quarter to get the Mustangs rolling.
The Mustangs lead ballooned to 20-0 six minutes later when quarterback Levi Pace completed a nine-yard pass to Matt Fuller.
Medina made it 27-0 at the three-quarter mark as Johnson scored on a 13-yard run with 6:58 to go in the third quarter. A 15-yard Pace to Bloom pass completion highlighted the drive.
The Mustangs added two scores in the fourth quarter as Michael Santoro scored on a one-yard run and Shane Kruger on an 11-yard run. David Stupnick had a big 31-yard run to help set up Santoro’s TD.
Medina is now 2-3, 2-4 overall while Tonawanda drops to 0-6.
Cheektowaga 28, Albion 12
ALBION — A lightning quick two touchdown scoring burst just before half-time keyed undefeated Cheektowaga to a rainy 28-12 victory over Albion Friday spoiling the Purple Eagles Homecoming and clinching the B-North Division title for the 6-0 Warriors.
Trailing 6-0, Cheektowaga scored twice within a span of just 34 seconds to move on top to stay.
Albion had taken a 6-0 lead with 4:07 to go in the first quarter on a one-yard touchdown run by Stanley Hooker, a tally set up by a 36-yard pass play from Ronnie Mannella to Matt Monacelli.
Cheektowaga boosted its advantage to 21-6 midway through the third quarter on a three-yard TD run by McLean who again added the PAT kick.
Albion though got that one right back when Chris Thornton broke clean up the middle for a 91-yard touchdown run with just 36 seconds to go in the third quarter cutting the deficit to 21-12.
The Purple Eagles though could get no closer as the Warriors answered wit a 52-yard touchdown run by Julius Davis with 10:41 to go in the game to regain a commanding 28-12 lead.
The loss drops Albion to 3-2, 3-2.
