Shaker looked like the team to beat early on in the season and the Blue Bison get the job done winning their second-ever Class AA Championship as the Blue Bison beat Saratoga 28-14. 

Out of the gate it looked like Saratoga might have the edge. The Blue Streaks came out with tons of energy. They scored first and led 14-7 late in the first half.

In the second half the Shaker defense took over and didn’t give up a point. There was a point in the 3rd quarter where Shaker was inside the 10 and about to take the lead, but they turned it over on downs. Then, a few penalties kept Saratoga’s ensuing drive alive. 

Those minutes could have been a turning for Saratoga, but Shaker Head Coach Greg Sheeler was walking up and down his sideline telling his players to calm down and relax. The players really look to him and he was so calm in that moment and it calmed his team down. They didn’t allow Saratoga to score, got the ball back and took the lead. To me, those few minutes there were a big factor in Shaker’s win. The Blue Bison are a tight-knit group. Their seniors came up in big moments and were able to lift that trophy at the end of the night.

We can’t talk about this championship without talking about Logan Souza. He’s a 5’4” senior who weighs 135 pounds. Souza was a monster in this one as he had 146 yards on the ground and two touchdowns. After the game Coach Sheeler told us, “Coach Grimes dressed up as Logan Souza for Halloween the other night. He’s our super hero did a lot for us tonight and just had a great game.” 

Souza plays a loud game, but he’s very quiet. He just does his job and takes care of business.  A humble young man saying, “We have a lot of great backs, a lot of ways to disperse the ball, so for them to call on me it’s an honor.”

Shaker has a bye next week and they will take on the winner of the Section IX/I game in the New York State Final Four.