The descendants of these first New York Humans invented a game that evolved into field hockey and lacrosse.  The Iroquois would take the competition to its highest levels...before the Euro-Americans brought their games.

After the American Civil War, a new form of competition migrated to the upper Allegheny from southern PA.  It was called American Football, an off-shoot of English Rugby that took the growing towns and schools by storm.

Football came to Bradford and Olean in the 1890s, and it quickly spread to smaller places in the region.  Portville high school football began after World War I, and the earliest evidence of a varsity team is dated to 1921.

Since 1929, the Panthers of Portville have won 64% of their 627 total games under 15 different head coaches.

The 2008 season sees Coach Gary Swetland starting his 17th campaign, after passing Bob Connell last year for all-time Portville wins (at 92 victories).  The Panthers are coming off a successful 8-2 season in 2007, which drastically ended with a loss to Randolph 30-0 at Ralph Wilson Stadium on a cold and depressing day.  What will happen with the team this year?

The Maroon + White have a chance to avenge the Randolph loss right away, as they play in Portville for a league rematch the very first game.  Along with Maple Grove, the team that wins will set the league table for the rest of the regular season.  Pine Valley, Frewsburg, and Catt-LV should be big threats as well.