The North Fork's sole varsity football program, the Porters, is navigating a challenging season marked by declining student enrollment and a need for updated facilities, even as it garners significant community support. The team, a combined effort of Greenport, Mattituck, and Southold school districts, is striving to maintain its varsity status in the face of an ongoing trend of shrinking student populations.
Coach Brian Olshefsky, in his first season leading the team, acknowledges the difficulties. "Our enrollments at all three schools have gone down over the past decade," Olshefsky stated. This past season, 11th graders had to play junior varsity due to insufficient numbers for a full varsity squad. For the current season, the Porters field a roster of just over 20 players, requiring many to play on both offense and defense.
The team has resorted to creative solutions to fill roster spots, such as recruiting soccer player Matt Malinowski as a kicker, a move permitted in Suffolk County. Newcomers are also joining the team, including lineman Aaron Cruz, a senior who is playing football for the first time after being recruited by his music teacher. "Everything is new to me right now. I don’t know much, but I am hoping to learn a lot more," Cruz said. "It’s really cool … but there’s pressure being on varsity."
Experienced upperclassmen, who played junior varsity the previous year, are considered the team's "lifeline" in mentoring and preparing new players. Emmett Tramontana, a lineman and senior, noted the importance of practice hits for building confidence. "If you get them used to hitting … they’re not gonna be scared in the game."
Despite a lack of size advantage compared to larger schools, Olshefsky employs a wing-T offense designed to utilize the team's "skill and speed." Quarterback Brayden Kruk expressed confidence in his team's preparation, aiming for a .500 record or better and a playoff push.
A significant hurdle for developing a larger player base is the absence of a local youth development league on the North Fork, requiring young athletes to travel considerable distances to participate in programs elsewhere. "At that young age, trying to pique that interest is probably our biggest goal right now. The biggest thing of what we’re trying to do is build this thing up back from the bottom, versus building from the top," Olshefsky explained.
The Porters are not alone in facing these challenges. Several smaller Suffolk County programs are experiencing similar difficulties. Port Jefferson School District suspended its varsity program this season, and Southampton opted for a JV-only season in 2025. The South Fork team is scheduled to combine with Hampton Bays for the 2026 season, and will face the Porters in their Week 1 matchup.
Discussions about alternative league structures, such as modified eight-on-eight leagues that exist upstate, have been raised by some of the smaller programs. However, the immediate focus for the Porters remains on providing a vibrant high school football experience for their community.
"We’ve had a storied past. In the ’50s and the ’60s, this was a solid program. We have a Rutgers Trophy. We have championships here," Olshefsky said, referencing the team's historical success. "The last time we had varsity football here two years ago, this town shut down."
The community's enthusiasm is palpable, with residents from all walks of life, from farmers to owners of large yachts, attending games. "It’s electric. … To look up into the stands, we can pack them out. It’s a great feeling, having everybody supporting you. It’s like nothing else," Tramontana said. "The farmers and the guys with the four-story yachts — they’re all coming out to support us."
This support offers a crucial counterpoint to the seasonal influx of tourists, which can strain local resources and infrastructure. "It’s just us, our team," Olshefsky said of the football season. "And we can become the main attraction of this town."