ALLEGANY, N.Y. — For Allegany-Limestone football, the path back to traditional 11-man football has not been straightforward.

Like many rural western New York programs, declining participation led to what seemed like a difficult choice — either try to merge with another program and consolidate talent and numbers, or risk folding the program entirely.

Head coach Marcus Grove and the Gators chose a third option.

“We stuck to our program,” said Grove, who has been on the Gators’ coaching staff for nine years, and also played for the program during his high school years. “Even when numbers were down, even when we had to go to 8-man football, we were determined to keep our tradition alive. Football shaped who I am, and I wanted to give these kids the same opportunity.”

Now, with increased numbers and renewed energy, Allegany-Limestone is back to the 11-man game, facing rivals they haven’t played in years and giving the program a chance to stabilize. The roster has grown significantly to 27 players, thanks in part to youth programs designed to keep kids engaged with football from an early age. During the offseason, the team also picked up a few players from Hinsdale in a new cooperative agreement, which further helped to make the numbers work.

Still, the team has had to adjust back to the new-old format.

“(Grove) played 11-man and coached 11-man, and he’s just getting us used to a whole new scheme, a whole new playbook with 11-man,” said Gators running back Nolan Zink, referencing Grove’s experience coaching with both more and less players on the field.

Lineman Isaiah Fisher echoed the mix of challenge and excitement on the defensive line that comes from a game where defenses can cover more of the field, and are overall more relevant.

“We’re excited to get back into football,” Fisher said. “It’ll be fun to get back to a real defensive side instead of just offense, which is really what eight-man is.”

Fisher also highlighted the significance of the season opener, a road rivalry bout with Portville on Sept. 5 over the coveted rocking chair.

“I definitely want us to beat Portville,” he said. “Portville’s a big game for us. We haven’t played them for a while, since we were last in 11-man. The chair game — it’s a big rivalry for us.”

The team is a blend of youth and experience, with younger players learning from a core of returning leaders. Grove said that leadership comes in many forms.

“We’ve got a hungry junior class this year,” he said. “They’re optimistic, and they view this program as theirs for the taking. Leadership can be vocal, by play style, or quieter — setting an example. We guide it, but they shape it.”

For Grove and his players, the season is as much about growth as results. While the goal for every team in Section 6 is a playoff berth, the current focus is adjusting to the 11-man game and building a foundation for the future.

In a region where high school football faces shrinking rosters and widespread program mergers, Allegany-Limestone’s return to 11-man football is a story of resilience. Through declining participation, the program has maintained its identity, looking to show that perseverance, leadership and renewed support can keep tradition alive.

THE RETURNING starters:

Mathew Burnett, senior, 5-9, 160, running back/defensive back/kick returner

Dylan Schultz, senior, 5-10, 170, quarterback/wide receiver/defensive back

Nolan Zink, junior, 5-10, 165, running back/defensive back

Isaiah Fisher, junior, 5-9, 185, offensive line/defensive line

Conner Crowley, junior, 5-10, 195, offensive line/defensive line

Aidan Coulter, junior, 5-11, 175, offensive line/linebacker

Nolan O’Brien, junior, 6-2, 160, wide receiver/defensive back

ALSO LETTERING were:

Brian Sprague, senior, 5-8, 160, running back/defensive back

Cyler Weatherly, senior, 5-9, 160, wide receiver/defensive back

Caiden Ackley, senior, 5-10, 185, offensive line/defensive line

THE PLAYERS, by position:

Offense:

Quarterbacks: Schultz, Tayden Margeson (fr., 5-9, 160), Sean Forney (soph., 6-0, 165)

Running backs: Burnett, Zink, Jax Amore (jr., 5-8, 170), Calym Weatherly (sr., 5-8, 160), Forney, Sprague, Braeden Cowburn (jr., 5-10, 165)

Ends/receivers: Ryan Callen (soph., 6-1, 160), O’Brien, Jack Aderman (sr., 5-10, 150), Chris Forney (sr., 5-9, 160), Brett Bergstrom (sr., 6-1, 180), Greg Peck (soph., 6-0, 170), Tevin Veno (soph., 5-10, 175), Sawyer Prince (soph., 5-10, 170), Liam See (soph., 5-10, 160), Ayden Harris (jr., 5-10, 170)

Guards/tackles: Crowley, Coulter, Jayden Thornton (soph., 5-10, 185), Samuel Mathanakaran (6-2, 170), Veno, Ackley, Cowburn, Alex VanCuran (soph., 5-10, 170), Brett Bergstrom

Centers: Fisher, Crowley, Thornton

Defense:

Ends: Mathanakaran, Prince, See, Veno, Bergstrom, Aderman

Guards/tackles: Crowley, Fisher, Thornton, Ackley, VanCuran

Linebackers: Coulter, Cowburn, Amore, Peck, Prince, Veno, Sprague, Fisher, Thornton, Weatherly

Defensive backs: Callen, O’Brien, Burnett, Zink, Schultz, Tayden Margeson, S. Forney, Harris

Kickers: Burnett

THE SCHEDULE:

September

5 — at Portville, 7 p.m.

12 — at Randolph, 7 p.m.

19 — Franklinville/Ellicottville, 7 p.m.

26 — Gowanda/Pine Valley, 7 p.m.

October

3 — Wilson, 7 p.m.

10 — at Newfane, 7 p.m.

17 — Silver Creek/Forestville, 7 p.m.

24 — at Cattaraugus-Little Valley, 7 p.m.