CENTRAL NEW YORK – Perched at no. 3 in the latest state Class C rankings, the Cazenovia football team knows that it is far from safe in terms of finishing atop the Class C-1 division.
In fact, whether the Lakers do so or not likely hinges on this Friday’s trip to Marcellus, where the 3-1 Mustangs await, having surrendered two total touchdowns in its wins over Solvay, Clinton and Canastota.
Right after its own tough 28-21 win at Solvay, Cazenovia returned to Buckely-Volo Field Saturday for its Homecoming game against Clinton and, getting most of its serious work done in the first half, breezed to a 39-10 victory over the Warriors.
Cazenovia’s first possession led to a touchdown, J.P. Hoak going 13 yards to Christian Schug. Jack Byrnes missed the extra point, but made up for it with an interception that set up another Lakers score, Hoak going four yards to Jack Donlin.
It was 19-0 before the first quarter ended, a third Lakers drive leading to Hoak going eight yards on a scramble to the goal line, and Cazenovia wasn’t close to done.
The second quarter featured three more Cazenovia touchdowns as Hoak went deep to Schug on a 50-yard pass, Wyatt Scott broke loose on a 48-yard scoring run and Tavin Reilley joined in with a nine-yard TD completion from Hoak.
With a 39-0 halftime lead, the Lakers were able to rest its starters for most of the second half, and didn’t score again, Clinton able to get a safety and late TD.
Outgaining the Warriors 396-171, Cazenovia had Hoak go nine-for-12 for 166 yards through the air while rushing for 58 yards. Scott gained 101 yards on the ground on just nine carries. Schug had four catches for 93 yards.
Brad Gagnon led the defense with five tackles, three assists and a fumble recovery. John Fowler and Brayden Weismore had three tackles apiece.
Back on Friday night, a Chittenango side that had put up plenty of points during an 0-3 start did so again – and got rewarded with its first win of the season, shutting out Cortland 31-0.
Here, the Bears did not score any offensive points in the first half, but Kyle Wehrlin burned the Purple Tigers with its defense and special teams.
First, Wehrlin intercepted a Cortland pass and returned it 33 yards for a TD. Minutes later, a short Purple Tigers punt went to Wehrlin and, picking up blocks, he went 48 yards to find the end zone again.
Putting it away in the third quarter, Chittenango had Jack Lamphere throw a 43-yard scoring pass to Hunter Taylor and then score on an 11-yard scramble.
Chase Brummer, who was four-for-four on extra points, added a 29-yard field goal in the final period as the Bears are home to face 4-1 Westhill this Friday at 6:30.
