Mustangs dominate homecoming game; Madison Arnold named queen

PENN YAN--The Penn Yan varsity football team picked up their second win of the season in a 47-8 homecoming win over the Midlakes Screaming Eagles Saturday, Oct. 12. During halftime at the homecoming game, Madison Arnold was announced as the homecoming queen.
Penn Yan kicked to start the game, forcing a punt after a three-and-out on their opening possession. The Mustangs turned the ball over after a fumble on their first offensive play, but forced a turnover on downs after a fourth down sack on the Penn Yan 16 yard line. The starting Mustang defense would force several punts and turnovers throughout the length of the game.
"The defense is back," Head Coach David Fauth said. "We made some adjustments this week. They are a running team so they kind of played into our strength. We are a running defense. It worked out pretty well."
Penn Yan took the ball over on their own 21, driving down to the Midlakes 10 on a 30-yard rush by halfback Alex Madigan and a big gain on the ground by runningback Casey Marsh. Rion Davison would score the first touchdown for the Mustangs on a 10-yard sweep. After a failed extra-point attempt, the score was 6-0.
After the defense forced another punt, Davison found the endzone again on a pass from quarterback Derek Sisson to go up 12-0 at the end of the first quarter. Another three-and-out followed by a punt in the second quarter meant another Sisson touchdown pass to wideout Bradley Voigt to increase the lead to 20-0 Penn Yan.
Yet, another three-and-out for Midlakes followed by a bad punt set the Mustangs up in prime field position. A screen pass to Madigan on third down would have brought the Mustangs down to the Midlakes three yard line, but a holding penalty led to a Mustangs punt, pinning Midlakes at their own five. This allowed Marsh to pick up a safety, putting the score at 22-0 in the Mustangs' favor.
After a three-and-out on offense, the Mustangs fumbled the ball on a punt attempt, setting Midlakes up on the Penn Yan 22. The defense held on fourth down, turning the ball over, but a personal foul penalty after the play on Penn Yan gave them the ball on their own seven-yard line. Penn Yan fumbled the ball again, but recovered it, allowing them to punt. Midlakes would score after returning the punt to the Penn Yan three yard line, rushing it in the next play to put the score at 22-8 going into halftime.
Madison Arnold, escorted by Brian Long, was announced the homecoming queen at halftime. The rest of the homecoming court included Renee Burt escorted by Taylor Spoor, Heather Conklin escorted by Max Steinert, Kayli Harling escorted by Jon Lucas, Courtney Lafler escorted by J.J. Warren, and Kendall Neuberger escorted by Noah Terpolilli. Penn Yan also introduced the newest members of its athletic hall of fame, which included Patrick Cougevan, Jennifer Goodell Cooper, Bill LaRock and the members of the 1976 football team.
Penn Yan's opening drive of the half was capped by a seven-yard touchdown run by Madigan. After recovering a fumbled kick return at the Midlakes 18, the Mustangs scored again on a halfback pass from Davison to Voigt to push the score to 34-8 Penn Yan. Penn Yan would score twice more on a toss to Davison for a touchdown and a Ben Covert interception for a touchdown to put the final score at 47-8 in Penn Yan's favor.
"We made some adjustments at the half," Fauth said. "We kind of gave it to the players and they came out and responded."
The Mustang's record stands at 2-4. Penn Yan's final regular season game is away against Palmyra-Macedon Friday, Oct. 18 at 7 p.m.