Mustangs advance past Indians with sectional shutout
PENN YAN--The Penn Yan varsity football team defeated the Waterloo Indians 24-0 Friday, Oct. 24 at home. The sectional win will advance the Mustangs to the class B semi-finals, making their record 6-2.
Both defenses dominated in the first half of the game. The Mustangs received a punt inside Waterloo territory, but a fourth-down interception gave Waterloo the ball at the Mustang 40-yard line.
After gaining only two yards, Waterloo punted to the Mustang nine-yard line. Penn Yan would drive into Waterloo territory but again be forced to punt. The Indians started at their own 20-yard line after a touchback, punting again after picking up only five yards on three downs.
The Mustangs started their drive on the Waterloo 42-yard line. Jacob Covert reeled in a 45-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Tanner Irwin for the first score of the night to go up 6-0. The play came on third and long near midfield.
Waterloo started their next drive from their 29, punting after three downs with 1:05 left in the half. Penn Yan started from the Waterloo 48, but fumbled the ball back to the Indians. The Indians took the ball to the Mustang 23-yard line but a Eric Riehl interception would secure the Penn Yan 6-0 lead going into halftime. "We came in with two different defenses and whatever they came out with we kind of matched, and we matched up well," Head Coach David Fauth said. "[We] brought a lot of heat tonight and made them make plays."
The passing game began to open up for both teams in the final half of the game. The Mustangs received the opening kick of the second half, driving down and scoring on another touchdown pass to Covert to take a 12-0 lead.
Waterloo started their first drive of the second half from their 27-yard line, punting after three quick plays.
Penn Yan drove to the Waterloo 23, but turned the ball over on downs. Waterloo's passing game carried them into Mustang territory, but they also turned the ball over on downs after a fake punt attempt on fourth and long. The next play Casey Marsh broke free with 65-yard rush for a touchdown to put the score at 18-0 Penn Yan.
Tyler Bray recovered a fumble by the Indians to give Penn Yan the ball back at the Waterloo 29. Austin Fingar threw for Covert's third touchdown of the night to increase the lead to 24-0, which would be the final score of the game.
"Jake Covert had a monster game," Fauth said. "He stepped up and he played awesome. I'm so proud of him. [...] We were ready. We came out. We prepared. We had a great week of practice and we played well."
The Mustangs will play either Palmyra-Macedon or Batavia next Saturday, Nov. 1.
