Dennis Bender’s last game as Shaker’s football coach ended in another heartbreaking loss.
Bethlehem made a two-point conversion in overtime to defeat the Blue Bison 29-28 in last Thursday’s crossover game in Latham.
Bender told his players the night before the game that he was resigning after six years as Shaker’s head coach a decision he said he made before the first practice in August.
I talked to [athletic director] Ed Dopp following last season and said I wanted to give it one more year,` said Bender. `I told my varsity coaches about it before the season began. We knew going into this year … that this would be my last year, and we kept it in our little circle as long as we could.`
Bender said his decision was based on his need to be with his family, and not on wins and losses.
`My wife and I will be doing some traveling,` said Bender. `My son is seven years old, and he’s involved in youth sports. So, we’ll be definitely watching those games.`
No successor has been named, and Bender said he anticipates it may be months before a new coach is tapped.
`We’re going to let some things rest for a while and let me walk off into the sunset,` said Bender.
Whoever takes over for Bender will inherit a team that has several talented players scheduled to return next season including quarterback Ben Capeless, running backs Kyle Bernard and Conor Alund, and fullback Sam Hyatt.
`With a combination of Kyle [Bernard] and Conor [Alund] and some receiver help for Ben [Capeless], I think they should be solid next year,` said Bender.
The next coach will also have some players from a junior varsity team that won the Class AA title for the second time in three years.
`Although we won the JV championship, that doesn’t always translate [to varsity success],` said Bender. `Those kids have to understand that they have to still mesh with the veterans, and they still have to work hard.`
With the loss to Bethlehem, Shaker ended Bender’s last season with a 3-6 record.
In other Class AA crossover action last week, Colonie (4-5) defeated Albany 32-7, while Christian Brothers Academy (1-7) was scheduled to play Columbia.
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