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1927 Varsity Panthers
Little is known about the early days of Pleasantville football. Since 1948 there have only been two head coaches to lead the Panthers. Pleasantville football's tradition of excellence began under the tenure of athletic director and head coach Peter Kurachek. From 1948 to 1972 coach Kurachek's teams went 120-52-4. The Panthers won 9 league championships, had a 25 game winning streak and were the #1 N.Y.S. Small Schools in 1970, 1971, and 1972. Coach Kurachek was named Coach of the Year in 1962 and has been inducted into the Westchester County Sports Hall of Fame.
The tradition of excellence continued with the hiring of Dick Rote in 1973 as the athletic director and head football coach. Coach Rote was a 1959 graduate of Pleasantville High School who played for and coached under his mentor Kurachek prior to his retirement. Coach Rote's teams have gone 191-78-4 winning 10 league championships and 4 section championships. The Panthers have appeared in 6 bowl games and posted undefeated seasons in 1973, 1981, and 1991. Coach Rote was named Coach of the Year in 1976..
Today, the Panthers continue their winning ways. Coach Rote's squad has won back to back league championships in 2002 and 2003 and are unbeaten at home in those two years. The new-look Panthers have also started playing night games at Parkway Field. Pleasantville football's outlook on the future remains bright as they move up to class B and strive to continue the tradition of excellence.