Everyone in North America knows that the counties of Cattaraugus, Allegany, Potter, and McKean have been growing poorer economically over the past 30 years.  Young people have left for better jobs in other states, and old people have gone south for the retirement weather.

 

As local towns have lost big in population, schools and athletic programs have suffered. Kids have more options with their time these days, and football teams have generally gone down the tubes.

 

Yet in Portville, the youth and high school gridiron squads have continued to be relatively strong, and many dominate from year to year.

 

Over the past few years, many stalwart programs have experienced bad seasons. Olean, Salamanca, Allegany, Bolivar, Otto-Eldred, Smethport, Franklinville, and others have lost their past glory.

 

Since 2003, the Panthers of Portville have rocked and dominated locally. The varsity team under Gary Swetland has been 49-18, among the Top 10 in Western New York.

 

After 4 games of this season, PCS is undefeated and on their way to another successful campaign. Hope is running high in the town as the Panthers crush local opponents on the field.