The Border Conference

                                                         The Border Conference

I took a look at my high school's (Otto-Eldred) 2022 football schedule this fall and there was an opponent listed and I had no idea where that school was located. I had never heard of it before.

There was another team that I recognized only because I believe it was in the vicinity where I received my undergraduate degree (Clarion University). 

I knew the Border Football Conference did not exist anymore, but I don't know when it ceased or actually why. I realize many years have passed and time has moved me away from understanding all the changes and complexities that have taken place in the area communities. 

Tom Patton, Bradford Central Christian-1975

Normally, I like to pick a person(s) or one team and write about them. Most of the writings take me back to my era and I enjoy those memories.

This time I just pulled some clips from '66-'82 Border Conference games. I thought that by using a 15 year span and 10 teams there would be a lot of names that would surface-some that I recall very well and others that I'm sure many people will remember. I hope so.

August 18, 1970- The first time that the three New York State high schools in the Border Conference were allowed to open early drills at the same time as their Pa. opponents. Bob Connell of Portville and Bill Wilcox (Allegany) are two of the three NYS coaches in the conference.

 1966- Bolivar 19-6 over Coudersport. The win lifted Bolivar to 1-2 and Coudersport remained winless, 0-5. Tom Cawley had an interception and a 75 yard touchdown run for Bolivar.  Coudersport lost their top runner, Ernie Wykoff, in the fourth quarter.  He scored the only touchdown for the Falcons.

1968- Border All-Stars. O-E with five; Jim Slavin, Fred Williams, John Oszustowicz, Steve Gross  and Jeff Fowler.

October 6, 1969- Portville over Bolivar, 14-8. Portville went 3-0, Bolivar 0-3.  Jerry Scutt and Jim Schott scored on two long T.D. runs.

Bradford Central over Coudersport, 42-0. 1969. BCC goes to 3-2 and Coudersport is 0-4. The Ramblers led 22-0 at the half. Ted Maruca was BCC's head coach.

1971- Portville beats Coudersport 33-6. Mike Harrison had 105 yards in eight carries and Mike King picked up 50 in his twelve carries for Portville. Gary Salters had 78 for the Falcons.

1971-Port Allegany defeats Allegany, 13-8. Gator defensive tackles, Will Bussard and Clair Hawver lead the defense.  Jeff Wallace and Wayne Homell scored for Port. Greg Grimes had a touchdown run for Allegany in the third quarter.

1975- Smethport QB Kurt Elliot eludes some Allegany tacklers in 14-8 Smethport win. Howard Wesley #79 and Jim Lennon #49 chase Elliot. Ralph Mitchell gained 128 yards in 17 carries for the Hubbers.

1973- 20-0 win for Portville over Port Allegany. Portville moved to 3-3, the Gators remain winless. Tom Yanetsko passed for one touchdown and ran for another.

October, 1973. Gary Holcomb runs for a T.D. and throw for another in Smethport's 20-16 win over Portville. Tom Yanetsko threw two short touchdown passes for Portville.

October, 1978- Robin Copley had a 60 yard run for Sheffield. Allegany scored on a 40 yard pass from Dan Johnson to Dan McGranaghan. Allegany remains winless.

October, 1978- Bradford Central Christian picks up their first win, 12-9 over Portville. It was the first loss for Portville after two wins and a tie. Mike Tate hit Bernie Crowley with two touchdown passes, one at the end of the first half and then the game winner at the end of the game.

1976- Portville edges Youngsville 6-0. Lance Jobe scored the only touchdown on a one yard run. 

1979, O-E's Bob Colbert ran 43 yards for a score. The Terrors are now 2-1 in the conference. Allegany has a 23-game non-winning streak. Rick Kemp's extra point kick was the decider.

1981- First year coach, Carl Defilippi leads the Hubbers to a second straight Border Conference win, 27-0 over Bradford Central. Rob Tronetti had 145 yards in eight carries and scored on a 50 yard dash. Brad Jordan was 4-6 and threw for a touchdown.

Portville picks up a 1982, 18-0 win over Otto-Eldred. Tim Emley gained 221 yards on 30 carries and had a touchdown run for the Panthers.

1982- O-E wins first game of the season with a 24-6 victory over Port Allegany. Matt Palmer scored three touchdowns for O-E. Palmer ran for 80 yards and teammate Jeff Payne added 73.

1982. Portville goes to 4-0 with a big win over Bradford Central Christian. The Panthers ran for 331 yards with David Ouderkirk running for 136. John Milne and Dick Caya picked off passes that eventually led to Portville scores.

On the right is Mike Blose, Smethport. Blose was 6'1" 235 lbs., two-way lineman for a 7-2 Smethport team. Blose was a Border Conference All-Star.  Jim Brownell of Wellsville is on the left.