Reigning Section III Class AA champions Cicero-North Syracuse's rushing attack was on full display in its season-opening victory over non-conference foe Horseheads on Friday.
The Northstars defeated the Section IV Blue Raiders 35-14 in Horseheads.
"It's always big. It's always exciting to begin a season with the win," C-NS coach Dave Kline said. "And, obviously, you want to start that way. We saw a lot of good things. We saw a lot of things we got to work on, so it goes both ways. But I was very happy. We came down here, took a long bus trip down, and the kids responded to it, and we had a nice win. So it's always good to see, good to feel."
C-NS senior running back La'Quan Lemon opened the game with a five-yard score in the first quarter.
Junior quarterback Jaxon Razmovski and junior running back Leonzo Zimmerman each rushed for two touchdowns later in the game for the Northstars.
"I think it was a big team effort because we didn't really just isolate on one thing," Kline said. "We did multiple things in terms of, we have many running backs to carry the ball. I think it was just mostly the team effort tonight."
A year ago, the Northstars reached the Class AA semifinals of the state tournament, but Kline said the team was not focusing on last year's success.
"There's so many different pieces (from last year's team)," Kline said. "I think that this year's team is just, they're finding their way and they're growing and learning. (The win) gets us going on the right foot. It gives us a positive feeling. So we'll get together (Saturday) morning and everything will be positive."
C-NS returns home Friday for a 6:30 p.m. matchup against Monroe-Woodbury.
