Mustangs shut out in season opener

NEWARK--The Penn Yan varsity football team lost their season opener to the Newark Reds in a 16-0 shutout Friday, Sept. 6. The Mustangs were able to move the ball through their running attack, but turnovers and stalled drives killed whatever offensive momentum they could muster.
The Mustang defense started out the game strong, forcing Newark to punt on their opening drive, but an untimely fumble put Newark's offense within the Penn Yan 10-yard line. Penn Yan's defense managed to keep the Reds out of the end zone, which led to a successful field goal attempt, putting the score at 3-0 Newark.
The Mustang offense mounted a drive from their own 30-yard line, spanning the remainder of the first quarter, but a holding and illegal motion penalty stalled their momentum. Penn Yan proceeded to turn the ball over with a fumble on a sweep play on fourth and 12, which was stopped well before the first down marker. After four consecutive completions, Newark scored the first touchdown of the game on a roll out pass, putting the score at 10-0 Newark going into halftime.
Penn Yan received the ball first in the third quarter, but a delay of game and false start penalty led to a failed fourth and 17 conversion, turning the ball over on downs. Newark drove down to the Mustang 17-yard line, but the defense forced an incompletion on fourth and nine, causing the Reds to turn the ball over on downs.
The Mustangs began to move the ball through their running game, picking up a critical fourth and one conversion, but their momentum stalled out and Penn Yan turned the ball over on downs once more. Newark responded with a deep pass to the Penn Yan two-yard line, which they ran in the next play. A failed extra point attempt put Newark ahead 16-0, which was the final score of the night. The Mustangs are currently 0-1 and will be hosting East Rochester-Gananda for their home opener Friday, Sept. 13 at 7 p.m.