PRZNY Team Previews: Medina Mustangs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Last Season (8-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Medina had a successful regular season posting a 7-1 record with most of their wins coming in blowout fashion. However, an early season loss to Newfane would cost the Mustangs their 5th consecutive division title. They would, however, qualify for the playoffs as the #3 seed but a crushing loss to Salamanca in the semi-finals would end their season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Prospect</strong><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1212776"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68a89e5c7ca60"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Moss enters his senior season with an already impressive resume'. He is a two time team All State RB and was named a Connolly Cup Player of the Week three times in his junior season. Christian has accumulated over 3,200 yards and 44 rushing TDs. He has all the tools to be an elite RB; size, speed, and vision</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Three X-Factors</strong><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["807835"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68a89e5c7cad0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Nealy has the unique skill set of being a a WR/DL. He has excellent size for the prototypical "X" WR. He's fast and physical and although it looks like his collegiate future will be on the basketball court, he will be an impactful football player for Medina as a senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1394959"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68a89e5c7cb38"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Fletcher is a ball hawking Free Safety that is also a vicious hitter. He has led Medina in INTs in his sophomore and junior seasons, while making All State honors in 2024. Kolton is also a quick and shifty WR from the slot where he led the Mustangs in receiving yards last year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1743080"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1844832,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68a89e5c7cbc6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A tough and gritty OT with extraordinary strength, Stephens has a big frame at 6'2 270 lbs. He has excellent awareness and hits with tenacity. Frankie is the undoubted leader on the OL and his name should be in the mix for Trench Trophy recognition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Breakout Player</strong><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1513382"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68a89e5c7cc34"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wills was Medina's #2 RB last season and was an exceptional compliment to Moss, running for 435 yards and averaging 12.8 yards per carry. While he will still play the backup RB role, his outstanding speed will make him a threat for defenses and could come into lead back duties in 2026. But for this season, he should make a lot of noise as a DB.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Names to Know</strong><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Position</strong></td><td><strong>Player</strong></td><td><strong>Class</strong></td><td><strong>Notes</strong></td></tr><tr><td>OL/DL</td><td>Zahkius Chinn</td><td>2028</td><td>1-Tech DT that can penetrate the OL well - He has a big frame and is hard to blow off the ball</td></tr><tr><td>QB</td><td>Preston Woodworth</td><td>2027</td><td>Medina's leading passer in 2024</td></tr><tr><td>LB</td><td>Avion Johnson</td><td>2026</td><td>ILB with good vision that should be one of Medina's defensive leaders</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Losses</strong><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Position</strong></td><td><strong>Player</strong></td><td><strong>School</strong></td></tr><tr><td>LB</td><td>Brody Fry</td><td>Brockport (Wrestling &amp; Baseball)</td></tr><tr><td>K</td><td>Cole Callard</td><td>Cortland</td></tr><tr><td>ATH</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1364005' first='Elijah' last='Doxey']</td><td>Transferred to Albion</td></tr><tr><td>ATH</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1743168' first='Trevon' last='Shine']</td><td>Transferred to Batavia</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 Schedule</strong><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>9/5</td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/silver-creek/silver-creek-forestville-central-black-knights/football/">@Silver Creek</a></td></tr><tr><td>9/12</td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/alden/alden-bulldogs/football/">@Alden*</a></td></tr><tr><td>9/18</td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/middleport/barker-royalton-hartland-bulls/football/">vsBarker/Royalton-Hartland*</a></td></tr><tr><td>9/26</td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/cheektowaga/kennedy-bears/football/">vsKennedy*</a></td></tr><tr><td>10/3</td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/eden/eden-north-collins-raiders/football/">@Eden/North Collins*</a></td></tr><tr><td>10/9</td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/tonawanda/tonawanda-timberwolves/football/">@Tonawanda*</a></td></tr><tr><td>10/17</td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/cheektowaga/cleveland-hill-golden-eagles/football/">vsCleveland Hill*</a></td></tr><tr><td>10/24</td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/batavia/batavia-blue-devils/football/">vsBatavia</a></td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 Outlook</strong><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Current Head Coach:</strong> <strong>Eric Valley</strong> <strong>(entering his 18th season)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Medina enters 2025 as a heavy favorite to win the C-North division as they have had much success in recent history. The Mustangs have won that division 4 times in the last 5 seasons, including two Section VI titles in 2020 and 2021. Medina has fallen in the semi finals each of the last three seasons with Salamanca being the victor in the past two. But the good news for them is they had a team full of underclassmen last year. With another year under their belt and a proven coaching staff, there is a good chance the Mustangs can bring home a sectional title this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->