The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
Lakers prepare for title defense
Cazenovia seeking 3rd straight Section III championship
CAZENOVIA, N.Y. » Cazenovia enters the fall in a familiar position as the defending Class B East and Section III Class B football champion.
For the second straight year, however, the Lakers will have a new challenger to contend with for both crowns with New Hartford joining the division.
“It starts with winning the first game and then we’ll see what happens from there,” said third-year head coach Jay Steinhorst. “We recognize that and also recognize that our season’s a little bit front-loaded with VVS, Utica Notre Dame and Mexico early. We’re really just focused on, at this point, staying healthy through the scrimmage and then just locking in on Mexico.”
The Lakers and Tigers open the season at 2 p.m. on Saturday, playing at Fulton.
Cazenovia, which has appeared in the last five Section III Class B finals and won four of those games, has the luxury of a second-year starter at quarterback in Matt Regan while fellow captain Dan Kent anchors a new-look line for the Lakers. Wide receiver/defensive back Matt McLaughlin and wide receiver/linebacker Will Huftalen are two of the Lakers other top returners and both are captains as well.
“We do have some pretty big shoes to fill but from what we’ve seen so far I feel like we’re going to be filling them pretty good,” said McLaughlin. “We are a little smaller team but we’ve got speed with us so that should help.”
One of Cazenovia’s keys to success has been the ability to reload
and this year is no exception. Newcomers Tony Heaney and James Pavelchak brings plenty of athleticism to the wide receiver/defensive back position as juniors while senior Jake Macheda could see an increased role out of the backfield. Chad Carges, whose father Roger played at Syracuse, is a part of the revamped offensive line and is also vying for a starting spot at linebacker. He’ll be joined by Kevin Stalder, Nolan Frisbey and Jon Laub up front on offense.
“We’re missing some big guys that played on the line last year so we’ve got some pretty big shoes to fill but I think we’re managing pretty well,” said Huftalen. “Altogether I think we’re a pretty fast team and we’re putting together some pretty good stuff.
“I’m looking forward to hopefully a good season and working hard because it’s my last year of high school football.”
As the teamprepares for its season opener, coach Steinhorst and his players agreed that continuing to work hard will be essential for Cazenovia to have another successful season.
“One hundred percent in everything,” said McLaughlin. “Workout, weight room, practice, paying attention to the coaches, listening to what they have to get us ready for every game every week.”