There's alot of big news surrounding the game...and number one being the Allegany-Portville gridiron rivalry dating back to the Great Depression era.  Big Jim knows his history, and these two towns are on opposite sides of the big city of Catt County - Olean (more about this year's Olean-Salamanca alumni football game later)...need I say more?

And over the past years, we've seen the population of Allegany go up, and the population of Portville kids go down.  I presume Wal-Mart has a little to do with that demographic note, but anyway...

Figure in that Portville got beat by big-time Salamanca their first two alum games (more about the Olean-Salamanca game later), and both being pretty intense and awful close battles.  Also figure in that this is Allegany-Limestone's first alum game...ya gotta think that Portville is due, especially on their home turf, which is looking pretty green and lush this week by the way.

But before I make my predictions, let's look at some other stories surrounding the alumni phenomenon, which wasn't around when me and my Hawbaker boys were hittin' the pads back in the day.  We're still waitin' for some of the grandsons to come of age.

This big game represents a unique opportunity to see some money raised for charity, brought to you by the slammin' and jammin' of spring-time football.  Thankfully, turkey season will be over by game time.

Word also has it that PCS class of 1979 great, Moke Jaekle, is fit and ready to kick some donkey's behind and chompin' at the bit.  Ol' PCS Coach Bear Connell would be proud to see Moke contribute.  Unfortunately, Moke's former captain, Grandpa Ray Auman tweaked his leg reffin' and will probably miss the game.

The Gators better beware of Brian Nitsche...nuff said.

I've mainly been talking to guys who have been talking to A-L players (I did manage one conversation with a Gator lineman), and I really don't know if they'll be ready for the Panther attack, even though A-L has some monster players playing.

Portville 34     Allegany-Limestone 7

If the weather is nice, I predict a total crowd of 2,000...if bad weather - 1,500...and I'm goin' conservative on all these numbers.  I just hope all these dedicated men play in the game, have a good time, stay injury-free, the crowd enjoys it all, and some good money is raised for the communities.

STAY TUNED FOR MORE OF BIG JIM ON THE JUNE 3rd GAME IN PORTVILLE