Varsity Insider

In the second half of Bronxville’s 34-14 triumph in the Class C state final, one of senior mainstays on both sides of the ball, Stephen Shoemaker, crumpled in pain near the line of scrimmage after a defensive play. The Yale-bound lineman was helped off the field by teammates Kieran Borcich and Christian Conway and did not return.

I heard from Shoemaker last night. Unfortunately, his injury was the one sour moment on a pretty sweet night for the Broncos.

Shoemaker, a 6-foot-2, 301-pound left guard and defensive tackle, was taken from the Carrier Dome in a stretcher and brought to Crouse Hospital on the Syracuse University campus. He said X-rays on his ankle “didn’t show anything very significant” and that he’ll know more after a follow-up visit in New York today.

Of course, the toughest part for Shoemaker wasn’t his injury. He said he regretted missing the postgame celebration that capped a long run of success for the Broncos, including, of course, the only state title in program history.

He certainly wasn’t forgotten.

“I really wish he was here to celebrate with us,” fellow senior Elliot Bartsch said on the field after the game.

Shoemaker recorded 1 1/2 sacks and was awarded most outstanding offensive lineman honors. His contributions were recognized both by officials at the game and by teammates, whose postgame thoughts were with him.

“He was awesome the whole season, including today,” said Dillon Mitchell, the game’s MVP. “It sucks that he wasn’t out there with us at the end, but he was awesome.”