Buffalo Public Schools start off first ever modified football season, 4-0

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – An exciting new chapter in local sports has begun as this football season marks the start of the first ever Modified Football Program for Buffalo Public Schools, bringing 7th and 8th graders from all different buildings together on one team. 

These young athletes are not only learning the game, but making history. 

“I was mad happy, I told my mom, ‘hurry up and sign me up,’ I told her ‘call my coach,'” said modified football player Mario Watson. 

The community is rallying behind them as they start off their season 4-0, after defeating West Seneca West on Wednesday, 51-7. 

“Being a part of a team is important to people because some of these kids don’t have that outside of sports,” said Assistant Head Coach Marc Adams. 

“We had 60 helmets and I gave out every single helmet because we do want to develop. We have kids at different kinds of levels so we have kids that have been playing since they were 6 years old and we have kids who just started,” said Head Coach Anthony Watkins. 

Through this program, these athletes have the opportunity to compete, gain confidence, and learn valuable life skills.

“Out here right now it’s building young men. We’re teaching them how to be a team, how to handle adversity, how to just have fun being a young man playing a game that a lot of people can play, but they get to play it at a higher level than youth sports,” said Watkins. 

“It’s been so much love and support for us and it really just feels good like you’re never alone when you play for BPS,” said modified player Torian Weaver. 

“It’s really good to represent the city,” said modified player Erion Hicks.

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