The 4-0 start registered by the Skaneateles football team has led to a steady climb in the state Class C rankings and, this week, it reached the top 10.
Though still behind two other Section III sides, General Brown (at no. 3) and Canastota (at no. 5), the Lakers will have ample opportunity in October to change that around, especially when it takes on state Class B no. 4-ranked Homer in the Oct. 14 regular-season finale.
For now, though, Skaneateles is content continuing its romp through the Class C West division, featuring its ground game Friday night in a 41-6 victory over Altmar-Parish-Williamstown at rain-soaked Hyatt Stadium.
Going in, the Rebels, with a 1-3 record, focused its defense on making sure Pat Hackler and his group of receivers didn’t bet them through the air game.
So the Lakers turned to its ground game – and Areh Boni ran wild behind T.J. Greenfield, Nate Squires, Jimmy Liberatore, John Ricklefs, Scott Oschner and the rest of the Skaneateles offensive line, gaining 229 yards on just 12 carries and scoring a career-best five touchdowns.
Together, they helped the Lakers sprint out to a 21-0 advantage by the end of the first quarter and a 35-0 edge by halftime. Also, the Skaneateles defense thwarted the Rebels throughout the game, not allowing any points until the fourth quarter.
The Lakers host Phoenix next Friday at 7 p.m., but will get one more chance to play at home later in the month during the first round of the sectional playoffs.
