Football Hall of Fame

Front Row: Steve Fisher, Josh Schertz, Luke Baker, Matt Vogelsang, Jared Grebner, Steve Mays, Sam Elbert, Jon Vanecko, Brad Marshall.

2nd Row: Cody Dykes, Andy Sanderson, Matt Crawford, Jaime Dishroom, Chris Miles, Scott Cardin, Matt Wilkerson, Jared Alig, Brett Delinski, Jason Mullins.

3rd Row: Dave Pohlman, Josh Springer, Richard Hammer, Bryan Murphy, Clarence Grebner, Semaj Allen, Jerhamie Dykes, Jason Atherton, Mic Smith.

4th Row: Eric Moodyt, Adam Belsly, Rhett Reliford, Jeff Seckler, Billy Diebel, Roger Hammer, Jake Maurer, Curt Nauman, Scott Fehr, Travis Barke.

5th Row: Joe Mischler, Dean Sluga, Todd Scherer, Mike Schaidle, Ryan Highland, Ryan Letourneau, Justin Dentino, Brad Rogers, Joe Dries, Eric Keysor.

6th Row: Luke Gangloff, David Long, Mark Vancil, Jeremy Droege, Josh Weber, Jake Elbert, Brad DeMoss, Mike Klimstra, Brian Luschen.

7th Row: Joe Blessman, Curt Ryan, Set Brown, Bob Schlemmer, Pat Ryan, Tom Guenther, Chuck Leonard, Jason Bjork, John Weber.

Metamora’s 1996 football team began an unthinkable run of seven appearances in the state championship game in a fourteen-year period. Coached by Pat Ryan, the Redbirds obliterated the school record for points, rolling up 563 in its 13-1 season.

Led by Peoria Journal Star Player of the Year Jared Grebner at quarterback, Metamora rolled through the Mid-Illini Conference and first four games of the playoffs to reach Hancock Stadium at Illinois State University for the title game. Despite its long, proud football history, it was Metamora’s first trip to the title game in 19 years. Playing nationally ranked New Lenox Providence in a driving rainstorm, the Redbirds gave the Celtics all they could handle in the finals. Tied at 21-21 entering the final quarter, Providence punched in the game’s winning score early in the fourth quarter and held on to win, 28-21.