Shaker banking on toughness in 2024

LATHAM, NY ( NEWS10 ) — When Week 0 kicks off in Section 2 on Friday, things will look different in Class AA. They’ll start right out of the gate with league play. That sets up one of the premier matchups to kick things off for our 1st & 10 Game of the Week: Shenendehowa at Shaker.

The Blue Bison are coming off a 7-3 season in which they lost to CBA 28-0 in the playoffs. The players view it as a down year, one they don’t want to repeat. They’re looking to go back to the Blue Bison ways of old to bring a title back to Shaker for the first time since 2018. “We think that the past few years we’ve lost that toughness of what we thought the Shaker program used to be,” said senior running back, defensive back, and kicker Jake Smith. “We’re bringing that back this year and we’re showing everyone this year that it’s going to be different. Trust our coaches, trust our teammates and trust ourselves and bring it to everyone this year.”

“No one believes in Shaker,” said senior fullback and linebacker Nick Graziano. They think Shaker’s falling off. It really gives you a burning fire underneath you to really go out there and win.”

Starting the season with a league rivalry matchup has only helped their preparation. “Our schedule has been the same, our practice time has been the same, but the focus has been a little bit more intensified,” said head coach Greg Sheeler. “Obviously, playing one of the best teams in the area, I think one of the best teams in the state, certainly some of the best athletes, you know, with Alozie and Diaz. So it’s definitely been more of a focused preparation.”

Kickoff on Friday is set for 7:00 PM. We’ll have all of your high school football coverage on 1st & 10 every Friday night at 10:30 PM on Fox, and at 11:00 PM on ABC.

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