8-MAN FOOTBALL: ND SET TO OPEN SEASON WITH NEW COACHING STAFF, SOLID NUMBERS (12 PHOTOS) (September 3, 2026)

Southern Tier Sports Report
ELMIRA — The Notre Dame football team got to work this fall with a new coaching staff as they prepare for the season.

Donald Wainwright takes over as the Crusaders open the year with a home game against Edison on Friday.

“Super excited,” Wainwright said. “Carrying on the legacy of Notre Dame football and helping it grow to where we were in the past is really our goal. 

“We’ve got a lot of potential. We are super young at both the modified and varsity level. I think we are going to end up graduating two, maybe three seniors. So, we are super young going into the future.”

Wainwright feels like the talent is there for Notre Dame.

“Super athletic,” he said. “Athletic, fast, really got a lot of ability. The kids are working hard. They have bought into the program, the style we are going to e running. So, it’s positive to see the kids the way they are right now.”

The numbers are solid for the Crusaders. 

“We have decent numbers, especially for the eight-man side,” Wainwright said. “Our numbers are looking good. We are hoping to get bigger so we can go back to 11-man next year.”
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PHOTOS BY BRIAN FEES

PHOTO GALLERY FROM PRACTICE:

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