It was a chilly, damp Friday evening. The rain put a film over everything and it was the perfect night to stay in, relax, watch a movie… Unless, of course, you’re a varsity Plainsmen, a member of the student section, or a spectator at Brent Steuerwald Stadium excited to watch the big game : Shenendehowa vs. Shaker; Plainsmen Homecoming.
The Varsity Plainsmen hit the ground running at the start of this season. On top of being undefeated thus far, when playing the Ballston Spa Scotties on Sept. 22, the Plainsmen managed to get 59 points before halftime, creating a brand new school record.
“Usually we’re the underdogs but now we’re coming in on top so we want to stay that way,” said Brett Steiner, a Senior, Captain and starting Middle Linebacker on the team. “We’re feeling great. We’re ready to show Shaker what the new Shen is,” Steiner said, before the game.
The New Shen
Steiner, other captains and players, are focused on improvement this year.
“We not only wanted to win, we wanted to dominate. We’re proving who we are out there,” said Mike Whatley, a Senior, Captain and starting Quarterback for the Plainsmen. “We didn’t want to stay on too much of a high last week. We wanted to get down and dirty with this team.”
While the momentum from the new school record and a win Friday helped the players, they know there is still work to be done.
“ We’ve got to get back to work though because – next week: CBA,” said Blake Mello, a starting Wide Receiver and Safety on the team.
It’s clear the players know what an undertaking it is to take on our rival teams, Shaker Blue Bison and CBA Brothers and yet, it’s also clear that they’re not scared. “We feel confident against every team,” Whatley said.
“We’re feeling good,” said Mello regarding playing CBA and how it will affect playoffs. “We’re trying to take it week by week; Not look too far forward, not look back. We just want to get better each week.”
Family
Players say they aren’t only focused on what happens on the field, but a key to their success is the relationship between teammates. “Through thick and thin, we’re there for each other,” said Steiner. “If we mess up a play, next time we’re at it. We pick each other up and we keep going. You know that brotherhood? It’s what’s necessary to win games, in my opinion.”
Steiner’s opinion about how brotherhood can make or break a game isn’t uncommon. “Family is everything to us. It’s all about coming together and being a team, being one. Because if we’re separated, then it doesn’t work,” said Mello. .
“It really does feel like a family. We say it every year but this year we have such a tight group and that’s huge on the football field,” said Whatley. “It makes you more confident when you’re on the field and makes everybody play better.”
