Shen High School loses Super Bowl after spectacular season
CLIFTON PARK, N.Y. — In the Section II Class AA Super Bowl, Shenendehowa鈥檚 remarkable football season ended with a 28-14 loss to the Christian Brothers Academy (CBA).
In 2021, the Shen Plainsmen had an incredibly productive season. They accumulated a record of 7-3, notching three more wins than during the COVID-shortened season last year. Their most impressive victories came in back-to-back wins against the Schenectady Patriots and Colonie Central Raiders, where Shen scored over 50 points in both games and limited the opposing offenses to a combined seven total points. The Plainsmen received a playoff berth and were ranked fourth in Section 2 AA League.
Shen’s offense was led by versatile senior athlete Michael McElrath, who played multiple offensive positions including running back, wide receiver and even took a few snaps under center as the quarterback. He also played the role of cornerback on defense. He led the Plainsmen in receiving yards (534) and rushing yards (304) for an average of 92.1 yards per game and totaled almost 1,000 yards on the season. He earned Offensive Player of the Game for Shen High School four times.
Shen was also led by the outstanding effort of their defense during the regular season, primarily their strong linebacking corps. Anthony Caprara, a senior outside linebacker, accumulated 80 total tackles, including eight tackles for a loss (TFL), in nine games. Eddie Voska, a junior middle linebacker, registered 68 total tackles and 10 TFL.
Shen鈥檚 first playoff game came against the first ranked team in Section II Class AA, the Shaker Bison. The Plainsmen shocked the Bison in a 17-14 upset, powered by McElrath鈥檚 60 rushing yards and Patrick House鈥檚 two rushing touchdowns. This earned the Plainsmen an appearance in the Section II Class AA Super Bowl against the CBA Brothers.
Shen was prepared to win their second sectional title in three years, with their latest victory coming in 2019.
鈥淔ootball in Clifton Park 鈥� means a lot to a lot of people,” Shen head coach Brian Clawson . “To be able to get to the AA championship this year is very meaningful.鈥�
Before the Section II Super Bowl, the Plainsmen were confident that they were going to earn a victory.
鈥淓verybody has to know they’re key,鈥� Shen鈥檚 quarterback, Mason Courtney, . 鈥淓verybody has to know what their job is and do their job. We鈥檙e just going to come out and show who the better team is.鈥�
“Championship football games are won and lost in the trenches and Friday night will be no different,” Clawson before the game.
This would prove to be true as Shen registered zero sacks during the Super Bowl while CBA relied on their running game to churn out 21 first downs. This was a disappointing end to Shen’s successful season, but the team hopes to regroup and return to the championship next year.
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