At least so far, no one in the newly-formed Class C South division has been able to give the Cazenovia football team any kind of serious scare.
True, the Lakers’ point numbers in last Saturday’s game against Canastota at Buckley-Volo Field were far from overwhelming. But with a defense starting to come to age, Cazenovia still rolled past the Raiders 31-0.
This marked the third time in four tries that Canastota has suffered a shutout. Cazenovia, no. 3 in the latest state Class C rankings, did not feel much sympathy, as it went onto its wet home field and took charge on its way to a 4-0 mark for the season.
Only once did the Lakers reach the end zone in the first quarter, going to Canastota’s 24-yard line before Carter Franz hit Justin Hoffman in the end zone.
Twice in the second quarter, the Lakers drove deep into Raiders territory and finished off drives with Chad Dorrance and Mike McGinnis each scoring on one-yard runs.
But the real treat came when, stalled on the Canastota 27, Lakers head coach Tom Niedl brought out Chris Rogers for a 44-yard field goal try.
Rogers, a one-time soccer player at Cazenovia, blasted the ball through the wet, heavy air and over the uprights for one of the longest field schools in school history.
Cazenovia eased up a bit in the second half, struggling in the wet conditions, but it still added a score in the third quarter when Dorrance hit again on a two-yard run.
Rogers, in addition to his long field goal, made all three of his PAT attempts. Dorrance, as part of the Lakers’ 318-yard offensive attack, had 124 yards on 16 carries.
On what will be Senior Day Saturday at Buckley-Volo Field, Cazenovia has its last regular-season home game against Mount Markham at 1:30. After reaching the sectional finals a year ago, the Mustangs had heavy graduation turnover and, this season, have gone the other way with an 0-4 mark.
With its perfect record, Cazenovia is tied with Westmoreland for first place in C South. The Lakers and Bulldogs meet each other to close the regular season on Oct. 18 at Westmoreland.
