CAZENOVIA – Quick strikes on one end and a punishing defense on the other end makes the Cazenovia football team a threat to go deep into the autumn once more.
On a warm Saturday afternoon at Buckley-Volo Field, the Lakers gave another demonstration of its overall quality when it put away the Bishop Ludden Gaelic Knights with a 21-0 shutout.
Both sides had won impressive season openers, Cazenovia rolling at Skaneateles (and beating former head coach Jay Steinhorst) while Ludden was at home toppling Clinton in new head coach Jim Ryan’s debut.
Determined to make its mark, Ludden, on its opening possession, moved to midfield, only to get suffed on fourth down as Jed Olkowski sacked X’zavion Streiff.
Moments later, J.P. Hoak threw deep and found Tavin Reilley, setting up the Lakers deep in Gaelic Knights territory and leading to Hoak’s go-ahead touchdown on a two-yard scramble.
Less than four minutes later, it was 14-0. Cazenovia regained possession and moved to Ludden’s 14, from where Hoak threw again and found Jack Byrnes in the end zone. Byrnes added his third consecutive extra point.
Things continued to roll in the second period when, from his own 37, Hoak again showcased his arm, targeting Byrnes and finding him for a 63-yard scoring strike.
To its credit, the Gaelic Knights’ defense didn’t let Cazenovia score from there, and only gave up 277 total yards, though the Lakers balanced it out with 137 yards through the air and 139 on the ground as Hoak gained 84 yards on 22 carries.
All game long, the Lakers’ defense made sure Ludden did not capitalize despite picking up 212 yards, just as balanced with 110 rushing yards and 102 passing yards.
Of Olkowski’s five tackles, three were for losses. Brad Gagnon had a team-best six tackles as Byrnes and Alex Kuper both got 4 ½ tackles. Gagnon and Reilley both picked up interceptions.
Cazenovia aims for three in a row this Friday at Solvay. The Bearcats are off to a 2-1 start after wins over Mexico and Clinton and a narrow 9-7 defeat to Marcellus.
