Shaker’s win worth wait
Blue Bison shut out Shenendehowa in its long-delayed opener
The sunlight splashing down on the field Friday night was not nearly strong enough to melt the snow piles staked behind each end zone at Steuerwald Stadium. The Shaker and Shenendehowa football teams waited nearly 18 months since last taking the field. As things played out over 48 minutes of action, the Blue Bison were the team celebrating afterward.
Shaker scored a touchdown on its opening drive, added another touchdown in the final 15 seconds of the first half and culminated a dominating defensive performance with a fumble recovery in the end zone by senior safety John Graney as the visitors posted a 20-0 Class AA victory over the
Plainsmen in the opening week of Fall Season II football.
The coronavirus pandemic pushed the 2020 season into a March start of a condensed seven-week season. The Blue Bison and Plainsmen did not shake hands after the game because of protocols and Shaker then gathered in the end zone nearest the scoreboard and took a few photos displaying their handiwork.
“It feels amazing. We all worked so hard during the offseason and we came together,” Graney said. “It was tough with COVID and everything, but we really worked hard and it showed here. I am so happy to celebrate with my brothers.”
“To have a shutout in Week 1 and not give up any big plays, especially with all the trick plays they were coming at us (with), just showed our guys played with discipline and poise tonight,” Shaker coach Greg Sheeler said.
The Plainsmen committed five turnovers, four of which were recorded by Graney with two interceptions and two fumble recoveries.
“I am happy to come down with them. My boy Daniel (Iyok) also got one too (on an interception) and I am so happy for him,” Graney said. “To get five turnovers, that’s the whole defense.”
“He played outstanding tonight,” Sheeler said. “When the defense plays that well, it is coaching, guys buying into our scheme and John Graney did a phenomenal job of making sure our guys were in the right position.”
Shaker’s defense limited Shenendehowa to 103 yards on offense, including 69 yards rushing on 31 attempts. The inability to run the ball effectively hindered the passing efforts for senior quarterback Brody Vincenzi, who constantly found himself under duress when dropping back to pass. He finished just 5-for-13 passing for 34 yards and two interceptions.
“Coach (Mike) Michela and his staff did a fantastic job,” Sheeler said of the team’s defensive coordinator. “Coach Michela missed a bunch of practice this week (with the birth) of his baby girl Charlotte, but the rest of the staff did an awesome job of preparing these kids. The
most important thing about defense is the effort and believing.”
Shaker needed only four plays on its opening series to reach the end zone. On a secondand-10 situation, Joey Mirabile faked a handoff and burst untouched down the left sideline for a 62-yard run to Shenendehowa’s 6-yard line. Two plays later, senior running back Connor Strand dove into the end zone on a 2-yard touchdown plunge.
“Last year, we would defer (the choice). It was good to take the ball and score,” said Mirabile, who threw for 127 yards and ran for 104 yards. “After all this time off, it was great to get into the end zone.”
Despite not generating much on offense, the Plainsmen still trailed only 7-0 late in the second quarter when Mirabile delivered a monster play when he scrambled on third-and-2 for a 21-yard touchdown run with 14.8 seconds remaining before intermission.
“Seeing the offense do work, I am really happy for them. Joey sparked everything,” Graney said.
“To score before halftime on
Joey’s scramble was fantastic,” Sheeler said. “That wasn’t anything we designed. That was Joey just being an athlete. When you can get those momentumchanging plays, especially in a Week 1 contest like this, you now rely on your defense. They played really well tonight.”
Shaker turned over the ball twice in the third quarter. Penalties proved to be a problem all evening for the Plainsmen. Twice, they were called for having too many players in the huddle. A pass interference penalty also negated an interception and an illegal-mandownfield penalty helped set the stage for Graney’s fumble recovery for a touchdown with 5:11 left.
“We knew a season would come. We kept the faith and delivered on this field,” Graney said.
“It was a little sloppy at times. You have to expect that,” Mirabile said. “I thought we stayed composed. Obviously, there is going to be adversity in a football game. I thought we did a good job of responding.”