EIGHT-MAN FOOTBALL: CRUSADERS SET TO HOST EDISON IN RIVALRY GAME (September 4, 2026)

Southern Tier Sports Report
The high school football season kicks off with a rivalry game in the eight-man ranks as Edison travels to Notre Dame tonight.

“We are pumped up for this season,” Edison coach Kyle Erickson said. “We are excited to see what we can build on from last season. We are fired up and ready to go for this season.

“We are excited to start the season and then to make it a rivalry game has our team excited for week one.”

The Crusaders are ready for their season opener at home.

“There is a lot of excitement and energy as we get close to kick-off on Friday,” Notre Dame coach Donald Wainwright said. “They are working hard to learn the new style of football that we are working to introduce and install this year.

“A rivalry game to kickoff the season is kind of odd. But, just like our schedule is different this year, with four straight home games and then the last four on the road. This matchup proves us with a great opportunity to see where we are.”

The Crusaders know Edison will be a tough test.

“Edison is a fast and hard hitting team,” Wainwright said. “They have some very skilled and quality players that will challenge us. They are really going to test us for sure. 

“The Crusaders are going to fight and not stop until the last whistle. Edison is a well-coached older team. They have been through the mud. But, we are looking for our youth and speed to help control the game. It should be a crazy environment at the stadium.”

With the new coaching staff at Notre Dame it’s hard for Edison to know exactly what to expect from the Crusaders. 

“Honestly, we have film on the team from last season and we have seen some film from their scrimmage, we don’t know much about them. With their new coach staff there are a bunch of unknowns, so we are just trying to be prepared for about anything.”

The Spartans know running the ball will be a key.

“Our key for this season is similar to last season,” Erickson said. “We want to control the ball offensively and establish the run game. On the defensive side we want to stay aggressive and swarm to the ball.”

For the Crusaders the key is a team mentality.

“The biggest key for our team is for our players to do their job and not be super heroes,” Wainwright said. 

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