 PORTVILLE PANTHERS at SALAMANCA
WARRIORS
Saturday Night 7:30 pm May 29, 2004
The Big Game is just hours away, as the towns of Portville and Salamanca gear
up for a Saturday Night Showdown on the gridiron in Seneca territory. It's the first alumni football contest for the
Panthers, who are up against the experienced Warriors, who are in their fifth year of post-grad tackle football. Yes,
it's full pads folks.
Hopefully the weather will be good...tons of Portville People are planning to make the
jaunt down the Allegheny River to witness history. The Bradford-at-Salamanca game two years ago drew about 3,000 fans,
so the organizers of the 2004 event are praying for the same, because it's all about raising money for kids. Plus the
memories that will be generated.
"Um, I already have lots of memories of guys like Siafakas, Drugg, Galante, Liberatore,
and some of the other Warriors," commented Portville's assistant head coach Chris Holcomb, gazing at the opposing roster
after practice one night. "They look tough, but we'll be alright. We got some tough guys too."
Salamanca has 39 players on the roster, averaging 5' 10" and 210 pounds. The average
PCS alumni player is 5' 11", weighs 205 pounds, and is 29 years old.
Click here for The Hawbaker Herald commentary on the game
The Portville squad has been able to elicit 40 sponsors for this charity event, and a commemorative
program will be sold at the game, along side Salamanca's program and 50-50 tickets. The price of the game is $6 for
adults and $3 for students.
Alot of people have sacrificed much, especially the coaches and players...who are doing it for the
love of the game, to pump up the town spirit, create unity in the community, and raise greatly-needed funds for youth
athletics.
"Thank you, Salamanca...for inviting us to play," notes Tip Aaron, a long-time Panther practice
observer. "This game should be awesome. Even though they're the biggest rival, we gotta lot of respect for
their football," adds Tip.
"Salamanca should be scared," according to Big Ben Reynolds, who once ran for five touchdowns against
Port A. "I've never seen Gary (Swetland, head coach) into it like this. He's whipping these guys into shape."
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