EIGHT-MAN FOOTBALL: CRUSADERS KICK OFF SEASON AT HOME AGAINST TRUMANSBURG (2021-09-11)

BY Brian Fees
Southern Tier Sports Report
SOUTHPORT — The Notre Dame boys will kick off their season under the lights.

Only this year it will be under the Saturday Night lights when the Crusaders open the season against Trumansburg.

“The kids are ecstatic to kickoff the season,” Notre Dame coach Mike Johnston Sr. said. “We’ve been working together since the end of June and did many good things in our scrimmage Saturday.

“The kids can’t wait to open up our season Saturday night under the lights. It has been a long two-year stretch for them since the end of the Fall 2019 season.”

Having the first game of the season at home is a special way to begin the year for the Crusaders.

“Opening at home is always helpful for our team,” Johnston Sr. said. “We are most comfortable there. It is where we go to work every day and are most familiar with the field itself.”

The Crusaders know they face a challenge against Trumansburg.

“I think Trumansburg is a very well coached team and they have some key players back for them,” Johnston Sr. said. “We respect every team we play. We know football is a Grint it out sport and you have to be tough with your mindset and physicality. It should be a great game.”

WHEN NOTRE DAME HAS THE BALL
The Crusaders know they have some athletes this year, and they think that will be a big key on the offensive side of the ball.

“I believe that the key to our team is our athleticism,” Johnston Sr. said. “We are fortunate to have players who can play multiple positions. They persist until they get the job done. There work ethic is excellent and we are a family who has each others back. We are a team.”

WHEN TRUMANSBURG HAS THE BALL
The Crusaders want to make sure they force Trumansburg out of the things they like doing on offense.

“The one key for our team defensively is to take away their best athletes who run the highest percentage of their plays,” Johnston Sr. said. “Take away what they do best and force them to do things they don’t want to do.”