Published: September 18, 2008 12:25 pm         

Cooperstown football posts another shutout

Intercept three passes in 20-0 win over Ilion

By ERIC AHLQVIST
Cooperstown Crier

For the second consecutive week, the Cooperstown defense produced timely turnovers which led to touchdowns as the Redskins improved to 2-0 with a 20-0 win over Ilion in the home opener on a muggy Saturday afternoon at Lambert Field.

``There are definitely areas where we can improve, but I’m not going to complain too much with two victories,’’ said Cooperstown head coach Steve Pugliese, whose team won just one game last season.

Cooperstown, which has yet to give up a point this season, travels to Sauquoit for another key league contest Friday night at 7 p.m.

After a scoreless first quarter, Cooperstown’s Andrew Auriemma set up the Redskins’ first score with an interception of Ilion quarterback Matt Soullas midway through the second quarter. On the ensuing possession, Brad Ashford caught a 15-yard pass for a first down on third and eight to the Ilion 25-yard line. Facing a fourth and eight three plays later, Hoke hooked up with Auriemma on a crossing route at the 10-yard line, and he ran in to the end zone untouched. Chad Parshall’s extra point made it 7- 0.

The score remained that way through the third quarter, although Ilion had several long drives stopped by penalties and turnovers.

Ashford recorded Cooperstown’s third interception of the day midway through the third quarter, and his 40-yard return gave Cooperstown possession on the Ilion’s 23-yard line. After three running plays produced six yards, Hoke threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Scott Millea on fourth down to make it 13-0.

The Redskins forced another Ilion punt minutes later, and a bad snap gave CCS the ball on Ilion’s 25-yard line. Alec Silvera ran 20 yards on the first play, and Tanner Niedzialkowski scored Cooperstown’s third touchdown on a five-yard run. ``We created some opportunities and took advantage of that,’’ Pugliese said. ``Our defense set the tone again with some hitting, and I think we wore Ilion down. Offensively, we need to execute our blocking better, but as long as we show improvement every week I’ll be happy.’’

Pugliese said his team can expect another tough game Friday night.

``Sauquoit always plays us tough, and they’ve got a good team even though they are 0-2 right now,’’ he said. ``We can’t relax just because we’re 2-0. We have to keep playing hard and improving if we want to stay in the hunt for a league title.’’