HAMBURG, N.Y. - The nationally second-ranked Cortland football team broke a school single-game scoring record in its season-opening 76-0 victory over Hilbert College in an Empire 8 contest at St. Francis High School.
 
The defending NCAA Division III champion Red Dragons eclipsed the previous school mark of 73 points set on three occasions, most recently last year at Hartwick. Cortland outgained the Hawks in total offense, 481-18, and held a 27-1 advantage in first downs. Cortland played its starters in the first half only and led 56-0 at intermission.
 
Zac Boyes (Buffalo/Kenmore West) completed 10-of-12 passes for 131 yards and three touchdowns and ran three times for 51 yards. Vin Mazzone (Staten Island/St. Peter's) was 4-of-5 passing for 58 yards and Troy Churney (Auburn) was 1-for-2. Steve Otremba (Hamburg/St. Francis), the Red Dragons' fourth quarterback in the contest and playing in his high school stadium, did not attempt a pass but did run for a 2-yard TD with 1:56 left to give Cortland the scoring record.
 
Ethan Gallo (Slate Hill/Minisink Valley) ran eight times for 45 yards and three touchdowns and Tyson Taylor (Middle Island/Longwood), Cortland's starting tailback, had four carries for 48 yards and a score. Tomaso Ramos (Farmingdale) led the Red Dragons with 68 yards on the ground on seven carries, including a 4-yard TD run in the fourth quarter.
 
Andrew Tarpey (Sparkill/Tappan Zee) caught four passes for 41 yards and two scores - an 11-yard TD grab in the second quarter and a 5-yard scoring catch in the third. Jaden AlfanoStJohn (Westhampton/Westhampton Beach), who has moved from tailback to wide receiver this fall, caught three passes for 37 yards and a score and Jayson Zeva (East Northport/St. John the Baptist) had three catches for 22 yards and a TD.
 
Ravi Dass Jr. (Somers) returned a punt 50 yards for a TD late in the first quarter. Dass had two punt returns for touchdowns during his freshman year last season.
 
The only first down the Red Dragons allowed was via a penalty in the fourth quarter. Aden Wiser (Highland) led Cortland with four tackles and a forced fumble and Jack Winey (Lindenhurst) had four tackles, including a sack.
 
Taivaughn Roach and Scott Winchell led Hilbert (0-1, 0-1 E8) with 12 tackles apiece and Takhi West made seven stops. The Hawks did not officially attempt a pass in the game. Quarterback Mike Hanlon ran 25 times for 27 yards. Hilbert is a new member of the Empire 8 this year but will be moving to the Liberty League in 2025. The Hawks are playing only their third year of football.
 
Cortland hosts Lycoming next Saturday at noon. Just prior to the game the Red Dragons will unveil a sign at Grady Field commemorating their 2023 national title.