So the initial outing for Jay Steinhorst as Cazenovia football’s head coach turned out like most of the previous 25 season openers did under Tom Neidl. In Friday’s Kickoff Classic at the Carrier Dome, the Lakers showed every intention of returning to that same venue two months from now to reclaim the Section III Class B title, shutting out Amsterdam by a 47-0 margin. Everyone involved with Cazenovia was insistent on how things were pretty much the same with Steinhorst, the long-time assistant, ascending to the top job after Neidl stepped down in March. At least for one week, against a solid Section II foe in Amsterdam, that continuity included many of the same components – big plays on offense, meshed with consistent, opportunistic defense – that have made the Lakers a durable power. It took less than four minutes for the Lakers to get on the board. Jake Shaffner, taking over at quarterback, led an opening drive that culminated with his own 13-yard sprint to the end zone, plus an extra point. Other than a fumble that followed a Rams turnover, things went smoothly in the first quarter, Cazenovia extending its lead to 13-0 when Shaffner found Cole Willard for a 20-yard touchdown pass. Yet it was in the second quarter that things got decided – specifically, with one big play authored by a Lakers defense that had surrendered yards against Amsterdam, but not point. With 7:39 left in the half, the Rams were marching into Cazenovia’s red zone when Shaffner, blitzing from his defensive end spot, hit the arm of the quarterback and forced the ball into the air at the five-yard line. Alex Nannery caught it, took off and wasn’t caught, a 95-yard touchdown dagger that, combined with Kevin Frega’s two-point run, made it 21-0. Cazenovia forced a third turnover late in the half when Willard earned an interception, leading to Shaffner finding Willard deep on a 48-yard scoring strike. Though the conversion was missed, the Lakers took a 27-0 lead to the break. And it didn’t let up in the third quarter. A five-play drive led to Shaffner’s first running TD, from four yards out, and Shaffner also got the two-point conversion. Minutes later, another Laker possession led to another Laker score, T.J. Connellan going the last 24 yards. All told, Shaffner threw for 87 yards on just three of seven completions, while running for another 87 yards. The Lakers accumulated 271 yards on the ground, with Shaffner and Connellan (81 yards) at the forefront. Not only did Cazenovia tack on one more score in the fourth quarter on Austin Enders’ 15-yard run, it made sure Amsterdam did not get on the board, blocking a field goal on the game’s final play. Now the Lakers can turn to Class B East division play, which begins next Saturday at 1:30 when Cazenovia meets Mexico in the home opener at Buckley-Volo Field.