MODIFIED FOOTBALL: FOOTBALL IS BACK AS NOTRE DAME'S MODIFIED PROGRAM HOLDS FIRST PRACTICES (24 PHOTOS) (2024-08-26)

By Brian Fees
Southern Tier Sports Report
SOUTHPORT — As the fall sports practices got going there were familiar sounds in the air of helmets being clasped closed and footballs hitting receivers hands.

Two years after Notre Dame made the tough decision to not have a football team, the sport is back for the Crusaders as they start up a Modified A program for 7-9 this season.

“I think it was missed a lot,” Notre Dame coach Mike Johnston Sr. said. “We always used to say when Coach D (Mike D’Aloisio) and I were here at Notre Dame that football set the tone for the year. If football got off to a good start it seemed like the school year went well.

“I’m so appreciative for the parents who reached out and said they wanted to have football and then allowing their kids to play. It’s been a journey.”

The decision to get rid of football was a tough one at Notre Dame. Johnston Sr. coached the last Notre Dame team, and had to cancel games in that final season due to a shortage of players. Notre Dame was left with what was at times resembling a modified roster, and Johnston Sr. knew that wouldn’t be safe at the varsity level.

“I just wasn’t going to put them in harms way,” Johnston Sr. said. “I just wanted to keep them safe. We got one win that year, but I gave the kids an opportunity to play football.”

Now, the Crusaders have a team playing against kids their own age.

“I think it’s important because they are playing against kids their own age and their own grade level,” Johnston Sr. said. “We are back and I”m so excited for them and it means everything.”

Being back on the field Monday was special as Johnston Jr. looked at his shirt that recognized D’Aloisio and Joel Stephens.

“It’s just awesome,” Johnston Sr. said. “I am so grateful to the kids who are out and the parents who pushed to have football start again. I just thought I could help out. I am basically doing it for this guy (D’Aloisio) and this one (Stephens).

As the team took the field an image of D’Aloisio could be seen in a mural on the wall of the school.

“He’s watching every move of mine now,” Johstnon Sr. said. “He’s in my heart every day. I love him and unfortunately I didn’t get to catch Joel, but I knew him. I just want to try and do what Coach D would do and establish good relationships with the kids and teach them about strong work ethic and being a good student in school. Just being a good person.”

While Monday was the first practice, Johnston Sr. had already seen dedication from this group.

“This is our first practice,” Johnston Sr. said. “But, they committed most of the summer to weight training three days a week and football walk throughs, mostly offense, another day a week. So, for four days a week for five or six weeks now we have been working together.”

The goal for Notre Dame is to build things back the correct way.

“We are trying to do the right things,” Johnston Sr. said. “We are trying to do that, teach them what commitment is, just try and do things the right way.”

For Johnston Sr. there was family with him Monday as his grandson Gannon Johnston, who was an all-star in high school who played at Brockport College, was helping out.

“It’s great he said he could help us out a little bit, because I know Mike Stephens, who is going to help us, had committed to three days at the start of the season before I asked him to be my assistant so it was nice that John Mayo and Gannon both came and worked with the line today.”

Just being back on the field Monday was special.

“Just great, chills,” Johnston Sr. said. “Just to give them the opportunity to experience what so many before them have. It’s everything.”
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PHOTOS BY BRIAN FEES

PHOTO GALLERY FROM MONDAY’S PRACTICE:


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