55?

[knowitall]

Gary Gouse told the Tribune he has that many kids signed up to play for Portage this year. That will be three times as many kids as some of his opponents will have dressed for games this season.

[Crimson's Ghost]

So why can a school that size get that kind of participation and Conemaugh Valley can’t?

PIAA has Portage with 121 and Conemaugh Valley with 103.

And CV is going to have what? 26 players?

[knowitall]

CV will be lucky to have 20. With an injury or two I can see them struggling to get through 48 minutes once let alone ten times.

[kmr]

Does Portage have soccer?  I'm not sure if they do but if they dont that would help football numbers.  Plus football has always been a big part of the community.   

[El-Moldo]

55 in 4 grades (9th thru 12th)? That's about 13 boys per class. Seems normal to me for a school that probably doesn't have soccer, golf, cross-country, hockey. And everyone loves a winner. Except for play-offs, they always have a good record. Nice stadium. Nice community. Always had a great band.

[konjo78]

Why does portage have 55? Culture, comminity and commitment.

[fdc173]

Why is it so great for Portage to have 55 players but when BG has 50-55 they get criticized.  Konjo said it perfectly, Culture commitment and Community.  That stems from winning programs which both have achieved.  

So this year when Portage beats up on a Noth Star team of 20 players, that is unfair and the opposition has the right to complain

[ICCfanatic]

Every single kid as a youngster dreams about being a portage football player.  Coach Gouse has the farm system doing exactly what the varsity does in regards to formations and plays.  They have one of the best communities around and will support their football team no matter what.  They should never be compared to BG.  I was at the CK and JV game and their fans sit 50ft apart because they don’t know each other and from different areas.  They can only be compared to them with commitment and culture.

[Aiks19]

So what if they have 55! Good for them. The problem isn't with them having 55 it's that other schools of similar size have a hard time getting half of that.

[Coach]

Diff topic but since CV was also brought up:

CV had some talented kids at 7-7. I know that isn’t real football, but they had some speed and their QB was money.