Like sophomore quarterback Tyler Hoke completing 21-28 passes for a school record 193 yards, and the Redskins defense shutting Sauquoit’s offense down for much of the day.

But an ineffective running game is what probably cost his team the game and must improve over the second half of the season, said head coach Steve Pugliese.

``We have to block better,’’ Pugliese said. ``We’re young and outsized but after four games we should be seeing more improvement. Sometimes it comes down to fundamentals, and that’s what we’ll be working on.’’

CCS had a chance to take an early lead on Saturday when the Indians fumbled the opening kickoff and Cooperstown recovered on the 20-yard line. A first down moved them to the 10, but the drive stalled there and Sauquoit took over on downs.

``If we could control the line of scrimmage more, we could do more things offensively,’’ Pugliese said. ``But when you can’t run, and teams know you’re going to throw the ball, it makes it very tough.’’

After a scoreless first quarter, Sauquoit got on the board first when running back Pat Julian ran in for a score from three yards out. The score remained that way until the third quarter, when Hoke was intercepted and the pass was returned for a touchdown for a 14-0 Indians lead.

But Cooperstown responded with a 90-yard fourth quarter drive to cut the lead in half. Starting at their own 210-yard line, Hoke connected with junior Brad Ashford on an 86-yard pass down to the Sauquoit four-yard line, and then hit Ashford again for the score.

``The 86-yard pass might be the highlight of the season,’’ Pugliese said. ``Brad jumped and caught it between two defenders. It was a great play.’’

Trailing 14-7, Cooperstown had Sauquoit pinned on the one-yard line, but Julian broke free for a 99-yard touchdown run to put the game out of reach.

Julian finished with 298 yards rushing and two touchdowns.

``Our defense stepped up quite a bit Saturday and showed a lot of improvement,’’ Pugliese said. ``We had our opportunities to win and the kids really wanted to win this football game. I can’t judge this team on wins and losses, I can only judge them on effort, and they are giving good effort every week.’’

Hoke, who broke Frank Petroskey’s passing record set just last year, was intercepted three times, and Pugliese said middle linebacker Andrew Auriemma, Tyler Combs and Jed Rowley all had very good defensive games.

Cooperstown is at Little Falls on Saturday.

R.J. Alton ran 12 times for 60 yards and Griffin Soule caught four passes for 70 yards.