Though at times the ride has been uneven, there’s no denying the fact that the Corcoran boys lacrosse team has proven its credentials as a Section III Class A championship contender. The Cougars had pulled off the rare feat of beating West Genesee and Fayetteville-Manlius in the same season – and might have to do the same thing in order to win its first-ever sectional title. First, though, Corcoran, the no. 4 seed, had to defend its home field against no. 5 seed Cicero-North Syracuse in Friday’s Class A quarterfinal. And with a superb all-around effort, the Cougars handled the Northstars 12-7. Showing no post-season nerves, the Cougars attack proved effective in the first quarter, building a 4-1 advantage. Through the game’s middle stages, Corcoran continued to establish its control, the lead going to 7-2 at halftime and 11-4 by the time the third quarter ended. All through this, James Cathers proved impossible for CNS’s defense to handle. Cathers had a part in two-thirds of Corcoran’s scoring plays, earning four goals and adding four assists before it was done. Dylan Smith sneaked in to earn a three-goal hat trick, while Cree Cathers got two goals and two assists. Dillon Brown, Ethan Thompson and Derek Eccles each had one goal and one assist. Corcoran’s defense never let CNS into the argument, holding everyone but Mike Debottis (three goals) in check as Edmund Cathers again stood out, stopping 16 of the 22 shots he faced. In Tuesday’s Class A semifinal at CNS’s Bragman Stadium, Corcoran will again confront F-M, the top seed, whose only loss of the season came to the Cougars in an 8-6 decision on May 15. The winner gets West Genesee or Liverpool in Friday’s title game, also on the CNS turf.