Outscoring opponents 285-93, the Indians failed to score 20 points or more only once that season en route to being named the Journal Herald Class AAA ratings champions. Stebbins tied Fairmont East 21-21 and Wayne 14-14 to finish as the only unbeaten AAA team in the Miami Valley.
Defensively, the Indians shut out three opponents and held three others to just one touchdown. Six Indians — Elijah Buell (OL), Martin McGreevy (OL), George Jenkins (RB), Jeff Adair (DL), Greg Knoth (DL) and Wally Henry (LB) — earned All-WOL honors that season.
The WOL title capped a steady climb under Schnieder who inherited a program in 1970 that had gone 0-10 the previous year. The Indians finished 2-8, 3-6-1 and 6-4 under Schneider before claiming the title in Year 4.
That championship is just one of two football league titles in school history. The other — a Miami Valley League divisional title — came in 2020.
The 1973 team is the only undefeated team in Stebbins history.
The Indians were a charter member of the Western Ohio League and participated in the conference from 1964-1989 before leaving for the Southwestern Rivers Conference (1989-97). After a stint in the Mid-Miami-League (1997-2006), Stebbins competed in the Central Buckeye Conference (2006-2015) and Greater Western Ohio Conference (2016-2018) before joining the newly formed Miami Valley League (in 2019).
In 2020, the Indians, under current head coach Greg Bonifay, captured the program’s second league title with an unblemished 4-0 finish in the MVL Valley Division. Stebbins also made the postseason for the first time and hosted (and won) its first playoff game that season (24-23 overtime victory over Sidney) before bowing out to eventual Division II state runner-up LaSalle in the second round.
Stebbins has been to the playoffs the last four years and is 2-4 in those appearances.
Longtime area head coach Jim Place had a three-year stint at Stebbins (82-84) and coached during the days of Brent White, who starred at Michigan.
One of the program’s more memorable victories is a 10-9 win over Centerville in 1982 when Carl Lux intercepted an Elks’ pass with 20 seconds left to secure the win.
Stebbins home field —Edmundson Stadium (just off Harshman Road) — is visible from Ohio 4 and seats 3,000-plus. It is named after the school’s first principal — Orville Edmundson — and hosted the Miami Valley Football Coaches Association All-Star game for several years.
This is the latest in a season-long series of the top high school football players in Dayton area history. The Dayton Daily News received recommendations and nominations from athletic directors and readers to help compile the list.
Ron Flohre, E/DE, 1977
First team WOL at offensive end and Dayton Daily News All-Greater Dayton at defensive end in 1976. Went to the University of Dayton where he earned three letters (1978-1980) as an offensive guard. Won the Stan Kurdziel Memorial Trophy as a senior for being the program’s outstanding lineman following the Flyers 14-0 campaign that ended with an NCAA Division III National Championship. Dayton was 31-4-2 from 1978-1980. Spent over 30 years as a teacher and administrator in the Mad River School District, including high school principal (for six years). Member of the Stebbins Hall of Fame.
Nick Lommatzsch, LB, 1995
Four-year lettermen was a two-year captain and three-time team defensive MVP. Was also a two-time first team Division II All-Ohio selection and the Dayton Daily News All-Area Division I-II defensive player of the year as a senior. Opened his senior campaign with 26 tackles, eight assists and an interception in a win over Carroll. Averaged 15 tackles a game that season. Played in the Ohio North-South Classic where he had six tackles and two sacks. Registered 184 tackles as a junior and 137 as a sophomore. Also excelled in basketball and baseball (earned nine varsity letters). Went to Ohio University. Member of the Stebbins Hall of Fame.
Bill Long, QB, 1965
Western Ohio League Player of the Year in 1964 was the Indians’ MVP as a junior and senior. Went to Ohio State where he started two years at quarterback and played three (1966-68) for legendary coach Woody Hayes. Completed 154-of-308 passes for 1,768 yards and eight touchdowns in 27 career games. Also ran for seven touchdowns. Member of the Buckeyes’ 1968 National Championship team and spurred a key 4-0 finish to the 1967 season that may have saved Hayes’ job. Member of the Stebbins Hall of Fame.
Adrian Norton, QB/WR, 2023
A two-time Division II first team All-Ohio selection (receiver as a junior and quarterback as a senior) and three-time All-MVL honoree. Led the MVL in receiving as a junior with 1,062 yards and 13 touchdowns on 51 receptions. As a senior he threw for 552 yards and seven touchdowns and ran for 772 yards and nine touchdowns. Also returned a kickoff 99 yards for a TD against Piqua. Currently a sophomore receiver at Akron where he appeared in all 11 games last season.
Jamal Robertson, RB, 1995
Was the Ohio Mr. Football Runner-Up in 1994 when he was named the AP Ohio Division II Offensive Player of the Year and first team All-Ohio after rushing for 2,029 yards. Played in the Ohio North-South Classic where he was named South MVP. Went to Ohio Northern where he was a two-time All-OAC and first team All-American (1999-2000). Left Ada with 38 school records, including career marks for rushing yards (4,169), all-purpose yards (5,388) and touchdowns (56). Had a lengthy career (12 years) in professional football with stints in the NFL (San Francisco 49ers, Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons), the CFL (Calgary Stampeders, Saskatchewan Roughriders, Toronto Argonauts and BC Lions) and NFL Europe (Rhein Fire). Was the NFL Europe Offensive MVP in 2002 when he led the Fire to the World Bowl. Also earned a Grey Cup title in 2011 as a part of the Lions. Appeared in 35 NFL games over six years where he ran for 248 yards, had 1,325 return yards and two touchdowns. His CFL totals are 2,828 rushing yards, 1,297 receiving yards, 593 return yards and 29 touchdowns. Member of the Stebbins Hall of Fame.
Jake Wheelock, OL, 2024
Two-time first team Division II All-Ohio and three-time All-Miami Valley League selection. Four-year starter was a consensus three-star offensive line prospect and a Top 50 player in Ohio as a senior. Member of Stebbins 2020 MVL league champs. Scott Satterfield’s first commitment to Cincinnati for the 2024 Class and an early enrollee who is a freshman at UC this fall.
Brent White, DL, 1985
One of the Miami Valley’s top high school football players ever. Made a name for himself during Stebbins final days in the Western Ohio League. Selected first team All-American by USA Today, first team Class AAA All-Ohio and the state’s AP Lineman of the Year in 1984 when many considered him the state’s top prospect. Picked Michigan over Ohio State and Michigan State. Earned four letters in Ann Arbor where he was a part of three Big Ten Championships, three Rose Bowls and three Top 10 finishes. Drafted in the 11th round of the 1990 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears. After a training camp cut by the Bears, spent two years with the Barcelona Dragons (World League of American Football) where he led the team in sacks (with seven) in 1992. Also played for the Sacramento Gold Miners (Canadian Football League), Baltimore Stallions (CFL) and San Jose Sabercats (Arena Football League). Member of the Stebbins Hall of Fame.
Willie Wilson, DB, 1974
Three-sport standout also excelled in basketball (first team All-WOL) and track (hurdles). Was key contributor as a defensive back and kick returner on the Indians’ 1973 WOL title team. Returned three straight kicks (78, 80 and 85 yards) for touchdowns as a senior during a two-game stretch against Xenia and Beavercreek. Went to Indiana where he started three years in the Hoosiers secondary. Member of the Stebbins Hall of Fame.
Honorable Mention: Wayne Addison, WR, 1996; Jeff Bockrath, E, 1977; Jim Bockrath, QB, 1979; Riz Buckman, QB/LB, 1995; Keith Daniels, HB, 1965; Kim Delaney, HB, 1962; Mike Denardo, LB, 1972; Mason Dyer, RB, 2016; Tim Frame, E, 1979; Rich Golod, LB, 1973; Darryl Griffin, TE, 1976; Wally Henry, LB, 1974; Bob Hoskins, DE, 1975; George Jenkins, RB, 1974; Elmer Johnson, RB, 1975; Nate Keller, QB, 2022; Dalton King, DL, 2022; Greg Knoth, OL, 1974; Gary Lee, DB, 1986; Jay Lord, QN, 1975; Carl Lux, LB, 1983; Melvin Marshall, DB, 1982; John McCullough, OL, 1965; Biff Neria, OL, 1971; Emeka Niffa, DB, 1996; Victor Norflee, DB, 1991; Steve Petrosino, LB, 1975; Dave Schneider, E, 1971; David Thomas, DB, 1990; Drummond Walters, DL, 1974; Ian Wells, DB, 2011; Ron Sorey, QB, 1974.
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