Salamanca Alumni Come Out on Top in Defensive Battle

PORTVILLE - In the second meeting between alumni of Salamanca and Portville high schools, the Warriors found themselves in some unfamiliar territory, they were losing.

For the better part of the game, Portville held a 3-0 lead until Salamanca finally got it's motor running.

With less than a minute to go in the game, Darren Ross (1998) scored on a three-yard plunge to give Salamanca a 7-3 lead after the extra point.

Portville still had a chance as the Panthers started from their own 33-yard line with just 50 seconds left.

Then finally, one of Salamanca's most decorated players made the plays.

An alum of 1999, Chad Bartoszek who had been silent most of the game made two outstanding plays to swing Salamanca's momentum. His second big play will most likely linger with Portville while it'll be embraced by Salamanca for years to come.

Portville quarterback Kyle Witherell dropped back and was looking to swing the football to running back Adam Hellwig but just as the ball was released, Bartoszek made a stunning one handed catch, intercepted the ball and ran it back to the end zone to give the Warriors a commanding 13-3 lead.

Anytime (Portville) running back was offset, we were looking for him to swing out of the backfield, said SHS alumni head coach George Whitcher. When (Hellwig) swung, Bart stepped right in front of him and stole it…besides he's such a big wall, he read it perfectly.

In the end, everyone was a winner as over $4,200 was raised in proceeds from the selling of the 50-50 raffle and admission at the gate.