Ernie Nevers, Stanford University's All American and 1925 Rose Bowl Co-MVP (with Elmer Laden one of the Four Horseman of Notre Dame) makes his way to Jacksonville, Florida to form Jacksonville's first professional football team. Made up of other former College All Americans will be known as the Jacksonville All Stars.

The Jacksonville All Stars begins professional play on January 2, 1926 in Jacksonville against the Chicago Bears. The game pitted Ernie Nevers in a head to head contest with Harold "Red" Grange and although the Bears wins the game 19-6 Nevers statistically gets the better of the famous Illinois red head.

Ernie ran the ball 12 times for 34 yards and Grange was 5 for 28. Nevers completed 10 passes for 110 yards of which 33 yards was his longest. Red Grange completed two of five passes for 38-yards. A kicking game Grange had 76-yards to Nevers 467.

In the fourth quarter Ernie plunged five yards into the end zone to avoid a shutout giving his All Stars the 6. In the second period Grange hit Vern Mullen with a pass good for 20 yards and the first touchdown of the game. Later in the second the Bears Joey Sternaman ran the ball 29 yards for the second touchdown and the Bears led at the half 13-0.

The Bears final touchdown of the game came in the third after a Nevers fumble to give them the 19-points. Although the game was a Nevers vs. Red Grange neither compared to the overall performance of Red Baron a former All American from Georgia Tech.

Two of Nevers' players to play the Chicago Bears came from Niles, Ohio brothers Russell and Herb Stein. Herb and Russ Stein became the first brothers to be selected All Americans in the same year when they were named to Walter Camp's All American Team in 1921.

Herb after graduating from Niles High School played his college ball at the University of Pittsburgh playing center both offensively and defensively earned All American in 1920 and 21. Served as Captain in 1920 he was inducted into the College Hall of Fame in 1967.

Russell Stein after graduating from Niles High School attended Washington and Jefferson and was Captain of the 1921 undefeated team (10-0-1) that played the University of California in the 1922 Rose Bowl and battled to a 0-0 tie. He played every minute of the game since Washington and Jefferson can afford to send just 11 players to California and was named the Most Outstanding in the Game (MVP) and was inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame in 1991. In 1999 was inducted into the Washington and Jefferson Athletic Hall of Fame.

Russ Stein a tackle for the All Stars and Herb the center.

The highlight of the game for the fans came late in the fourth quarter when Bears guard Jim McMillen and All Star's center Herb Stein became involved in a heated argument and both were thrown out of the game. The fans took up the dispute and threaten to pour out onto the field but order was restored.

The Jacksonville All Stars played the New York Giants the following week losing 7-0. The All Stars had to fold after the Giants game due to the lack of funds. Russ Stein will head back to Ohio and become a member of the professional famed Canton Bulldogs and a teammate of the great Jim Thorpe. Herb Stein who played for the professional Pottsville Maroons in 1925 will continue with the Maroons through the 1928 season.

In 1925 Russ Stein playing for the Pottsville Maroons was selected to the 2nd Team All NFL. Herb was selected to the George Halas' 1st Team All NFL in 1922 while with the Toledo Maroons, then was selected to the Collyers 2nd Team All NFL in 1924 with the Frankford Yellow Jackets then again in 1926 with Pottsville. Russ finished up his professional career in 1926 and Herb in 1928.

Ready For Niles

Coach Richard Pont told the Steubenville Catholic Central Boosters Club that his Crusaders are ready for the big showdown with powerful Niles McKinley at Niles Saturday night.

"The boys had their minds on Niles and not Madonna in last week's game", Pont told the Boosters. "But the Madonna team was really up for us and this one that I am glad it is really over. We scouted Madonna very well and held their rushing and passing to about 38 yards total gain. Yannon again was the big ground gainer and the passing attack did very well."

Pont said "In Niles Central will see the best in Ohio."

"Niles plays really rough football and hits hard." Pont continued "They are well coached and have the ability to come back." He pointed out that Niles was two touchdowns behind in the Akron St. Vincent game and came back to win. "When you come back like that you have to be good", he said "We're ready for Niles," Pont added "Our boys came out of the Madonna game in good shape."

Assistant Coach Richard Saccoccia said Central had a good practice Monday and looked sharp. "If they keep this up, the boys are going to be very tough to beat in Saturday's game." He said "Niles was a well-coached team and knows it has a tough game coming up."

It was reported that twelve chartered buses will make the trip to Niles.

October 6, 1964

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Coming into the Niles game the Central Catholic Crusaders of Steubenville were 4-0 on the season ranked tenth in the state according to the United Press International and had one of the very best Running Backs in Ohio with Buster Yannon.

Niles McKinley the defending State Champions claiming number one in 1963 in both polls the Associated Press and the United Press International was coming into the game with the record of 3 wins and 1 loss, losing to Massillon at the Akron Rubber Bowl in week two by the score 14-8 before over 30,000 fans was ranked fourth in the state in the UPI.

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Steubenville Catholic had defeated Columbus Aquinas 20-0, Bellaire St. Johns 46-20, East Liverpool 42-18 and Weirton Madonna, West Virginia 34-6. Their high powered HB Buster Yannon was coming to Niles with 14 TDs and 881 yards rushing. In four games he had scored 91 points and averaging 11.6 yards per carry.

Niles McKinley had a well-rounded offense with George Infante at QB, Mel Dixon, Pat MacQueen, Phil Ziegler at HB, and one of the best FB in the state in Ephram 'Cee' Ellison. Niles' three wins a 54-0 shellacking of Cleveland East Tech, Akron St. Vincent 22-14 and Cincinnati LaSalle 42-0 beside the Massillon loss.

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Crusaders Ready

For Niles Battle

A final light workout was scheduled for Catholic Central's Crusaders today in preparation for the big battle with Niles McKinley at Niles Saturday night.

Coach Richard Pont pronounced his Crusaders ready for the mighty Red Dragons, who have been defeated once in their last 52 games and haven't lost at Riverside Stadium, scene of Saturday's big game, since 1959.

Pont said the Crusaders came out of last week's victory over Weirton Madonna somewhat bruised but all will be ready for the showdown with the Red Dragons, rated number 5 among the Ohio powers in the latest Associated Press poll.

One of the largest fans following in Central history will make the trip to Niles. It was reported over 2,000 tickets sold and 14 chartered buses are ready to make the trip.

A standing room only crowd is assured at Niles' Riverside Stadium. The game is expected to draw one of the largest crowds in Niles history.

October 9, 1964

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October 10, 1964

A jammed pack Riverside Stadium witnessed Niles McKinley knocking Steubenville's Catholic Central's Crusaders from the ranks of the undefeated as the high powered Red Dragon machine took the measure 34-6.

Niles ran their mark to 4-1 dropping the Crusaders to 4-1 severely hampering any Central hopes of finding a spot among the Ohio elite.

The Dragon defensive unit concentrated on Buster Yannon and did an outstanding job of stopping one of Ohio's best Half Backs. Averaging 220 yards per game Yannon ran into a wall of Dragons and through the night was only able to gather up 36 yards on 11 carries.

Crusader Coach Richard Pont inserted a shot gun offense for the Niles encounter but the Dragon defense would not allow the Crusaders to lift off as in their previous four games.

Niles struck first on its first drive of the game traveling 53 yards in 10 plays beginning with a 16 yard strike from George Infante to Larry Cella. Cee Ellison finished the drive with a three yard run then Mel Dixon taking the pigskin on the extra point conversion with 4:47 remaining in the first.

Central's Jerry Fato struck early in the second quarter sweeping Niles' end 8 yards out giving Steubenville the only points they will score all night making the score 8-6. However the Crusaders will not be able to mount much of an attack the rest of the game.

Niles' George Infante will turn in a stellar performance for the night tossing two TD passes and scoring once on a run. He would connect on 5 of 11 passes for a total of 93-yards. A 44-yard strike to Ron Miller would give Niles a 14-6 half time lead and Infante's first TD strike of the night.

In the third quarter Niles gained the momentum and never relinquished it when Mel Dixon covered a punt and scampered 64 yards into the end zone then George Infante followed on a run for the extra points. Another punt covered by Dixon he hauls the pigskin 35-yards to the Central 40-yard line. Five plays later Infante hits Frank Petrella 17-yards out for another six points.

Infante would have the honors of crossing the goal early in the fourth when Niles took over on the Central 35 after a 15-yard penalty on Central and seven plays later from the one giving Niles its 34-6 win.

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Richard Pont Catholic Central's coach gave the Niles defensive line a huge share of the credit for eliminating his Crusaders from the ranks of the undefeated.

"This year's game was decided in the line. We underrated the big Niles line. It could really hit. Their linebackers were really good in Saturday's game. They moved around like cats. Their linebackers and line did a good job on our team."

Pont also gave credit to Niles' scouting.

"They really did a fine job on us." He said "Our boys did a good job on their rushing, but the two passes that were good for touchdowns and punt returns really hurt us. Their line really hit first and hard."

Assistant Coach Rich Saccoccia also stated the Niles line was the big factor in the game.

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The Crusaders would finish the 1964 season with a 9-1 mark after the Niles loss would defeat Lima Central 14-6, Canton Timken 30-0, Erie Cathedral Prep 20-12, Weirton, West Virginia 6-0 and Steubenville Big Red 36-6. Buster Yannon would rush for over 100-yards in four games and all four close to 200. He would rush for plus 200-yards in four games and vs. Big Red turn in 98-yards besides his 36-yards vs. the Dragons. At season's end Yannon an Associated Press and United Press International First Team All Ohioan would finish up scoring 159-points, rushing for 1,765 yards for 8.05 yards per carry average. 

Niles McKinley would finish the 1964 season with an 8-2 mark losing game number two in Cincinnati to Roger Bacon 20-16 on an erroneous call by a referee. Roger Bacon behind 16-14 when the error occurred gave Bacon an extra play and on that play scored giving them 20. The State High School Association official ruled the referee was in error and Bacon should not have had that extra play. Niles wins after Central were over Akron Central 40-12, Farrell, Pennsylvania 52-14, Erie Tech, Pennsylvania 52-8 and Warren Harding 26-0.

Niles was 10-points short of an undefeated season and possible back to back State Championships.

Head Coach Glenn Stennett asked Coach Bob Shaw to call officials concerning the error by a referee in the Roger Bacon game and Coach Shaw was told by officials nothing could be done about it the game is in the books.