To the east, affluent individuals park their expansive yachts, while to the west, farmlands stretch endlessly.
The Porters enjoy a unique patch of grass that could easily be turned into a sod farm, while fans sit on wooden bleachers that seem like they date back to the Bush Sr. era. During a recent practice at Greenport High School, a group of deer could even be spotted scrounging behind the end zone.
Yet the people of North Fork don’t regard their single varsity football team as insignificant among Long Island’s offerings.
“It’s electric,” Porters lineman Emmett Tramontana shared. “Looking up at the stands, they’re full. It feels amazing to have everyone supporting us. It’s just like nothing else.” He noted, “It’s not just the locals; even the yacht owners come out for us.”
Indeed, for the year-round residents, high school football offers a vital respite from the chaos of autumn weekends, which often clash with a tide of tourists descending upon the area.
Each year, the local community feels increasingly overrun by visitors eager to take in fall foliage, vineyards, and seasonal activities, which disrupt once-quiet neighborhoods now transformed into luxurious getaways.
“There’s tourism everywhere, especially in the fall — but when it’s football season, it’s just us and our team,” commented Porters head coach Brian Olshefsky. “We get to be the highlight of this town.”
A real drought
The North Fork comprises the small school districts of Mattituck, Southold, and Greenport, combining into one football program, which often finds itself short on players. Just two years ago, they didn’t have enough for a varsity team, amid an influx of visitors.
“All our enrollments have been dropping over the past ten years,” Olshefsky noted, adding that some 11th graders had to play junior varsity last season.
“There’s a strong sense of community pride here, and people really love their athletics. The excitement for the return of varsity football is palpable. Fall brings a different vibe in this place,” he said.
With a small squad of players, Olshefsky has to get creative, like using soccer player Matt Malinowski as a kicker, which is permitted in Suffolk County.
Senior Tramontana, who has a solid six years of experience, sees fellow lineman Aaron Cruz, who just started playing. Cruz was encouraged to join by his music teacher, and he admits, “Everything is new to me right now. I don’t know much, but I hope to learn more. It’s cool, but there’s also pressure being on varsity.”
Upperclassmen who spent last year on junior varsity have taken it upon themselves to help newcomers like Cruz, a process that can be challenging.
“If they get used to hitting, they won’t be scared when it matters,” Tramontana expressed.
While they may lack the size of more prominent programs, Olshefsky compensates with his wing-T strategy, emphasizing skill and speed. Quarterback Brayden Kruk trusts his offensive line.
“After all the training we’ve done, I feel they’ve picked up the ropes,” said the junior from Mattituck. “I believe we can aim for the playoffs, and my goal is to finish at .500 or better.”
Planting the seeds
A lack of a youth development league in North Fork contributes to their numbers problem. The nearest options require a drive miles away to Riverhead, according to Olshefsky.
“Our biggest goal now is to generate interest at a young age. We’re trying to build this back up from the ground floor rather than start from the top,” he elaborated.
Many smaller programs in Suffolk also struggle, with Port Jefferson even withdrawing its varsity program this season, and Southampton only fielding a junior varsity team.
This year, the South Fork team is merging with Hampton Bays and will face the Porters in their first week.
Some smaller island programs have proposed modified eight-on-eight leagues, which exist upstate and have championships. However, the Porters are concentrating on the immediate task of establishing a Friday night football culture that’s been long-awaited.
“We’ve had a rich history. Back in the ’50s and ’60s, this program was quite notable. We’ve earned trophies and titles,” Olshefsky recalled. “The last time we had varsity football here, it felt like the entire town came together.”
