Niles All Time Greats Page Four

Niles McKinley Red Dragons

Niles All Time Greats Page Four

1951

Sam Scarnecchia

Sam Scarnecchia may be the best QB to come out of Niles McKinley and certainly is the best QB running the ball at that position. Sam went onto the University of Miami of Florida where he is a member of their Hall of Fame.

Jared Sears is off on a 90-yard Kick Off return VS. arch rival Howland Tigers in 2004. His performance that night on either side of the ball was a masterpiece that brought Niles the win.

Jared Sears stands with the greats that walked the halls of McKinley. Outstanding on either side of the ball including special teams Jared can find his name in Niles’ All Time Records no less than 13 times. He also gained recognition as All Trumbull County First Team (DB) 2003, All Metro Athletic Conference Second Team (DB) 2003, Northeast Inland All-District Division III Honorable Mention 2003, Team Co-Captain 2004, Coaches Offensive Back of the Year 2004, All Trumbull County First Team (RB) 2004, All Metro Athletic Conference First Team (RB) 2004. All Northeast Ohio Division III First Team (DB) 2004, Trumbull County Coaches Player of the Year Nominee 2004, All Ohio Division III Special Mention 2004. WOW!

Rich Lemon

1965

Ray Muche

Above is Ray Muche who QB Niles in 1965. Ray hit the Niles All Time Records in six categories and in each is either number one, two or three. Considered at this time to be the number two All Time running QB right behind Sam Scarnecchia. He also eaned All Trumbull County First Team (QB) 1965, All American Conference Second Team (HB) 1965, All Ohio Honorable Mention UPI (QB) 1965.

He played his college ball at the University of Cincinnati.

1965

Joe Lukz

When you talk about Great Defensive Tackles one cannot get by Joe Lukz. His play stood up to the great tradition that the Lukz family built as Red Dragons.

He earned Team Captain 1965, Massillon Jaycees Sportsmanship Award (T) 1965, All Trumbull County First Team (T) 1965, All American Conference First Team (DT) 1965, All Ohio Second Team UPI (MG) 1965 and Ohio North/South High School All Star Football Game (T) 1966.

He played his college ball at the University of Michigan.

1930

Jack DeGarmo

Jack DeGarmo without doubt one of Niles’ great HB. He played on the varsity as a sophomore through his senior year. As a sophomore, Jack scampered 50-yards for a TD VS. Cuyahoga Falls in 1928. He was All Trumbull County for two years, one year as a HB and one year as a QB. In 1930, besides All Trumbull County he was All Northeast Ohio Big Ten at the HB spot.

1966

Pat Ryan

Pat Ryan one of the great All Time players in Niles history. A Defensive End that could hit like a LB and fast as a RB. Excelled as an Offensive End as well. He attained All American Conference First Team (DE) 1965, All Trumbull County First Team (E) 1966, All American Conference First Team (DE) 1966 and All Ohio First Team UPI (E) 1966. Attended Youngstown State were he earned Little All American.

1962

Niles vs. Alliance

1962, Dragons at Alliance before 11,000 fans Jim Seiber went 4-hard yards to score and tie up the Aviators. Alliance went 8-2-1 that year and Niles 8-0-1 just missing a State Championship.

Jim Seiber an All Time Great averaged 7.8 yards per carry as a QB and accounted for almost 900-yards. He scored 4 TDs via run and passed for another 9 TDs.

He earned All Trumbull County Second Team (QB) 1961, All Trumbull County First Team (QB) 1962, All Ohio Honorable Mention AP (QB) 1962, All Ohio Honorable Mention UPI (QB) 1962

Jim Seiber went onto the University of Michigan

Rob Howell while at Southern Illinois

A Defensive Tackle at Niles McKinley started as a sophomore. Rob earned, All Trumbull County Honorable Mention (T) 1980, All Trumbull County First Team (DL) 1981, Team Co-Captain 1982, All Trumbull County First Team (DL) 1982, All Steel Valley Conference First Team (T) 1982, All Ohio Special Mention UPI (T) 1982. At Southern Illinois started for four years as a guard winning the 1 AA National Championship.

1930

Ed Davies

As a junior and backup QB to Ed Sloan who against Girard was injured giving Ed Davies the opportunity he so desired. Starting against Akron St Vincent, he led his team to a win and scampered 50 yards for a touchdown. He injured his leg early in that game and his desire was so great that he refused to let the coach know and played the whole game on both sides of the ball. That evening he became ill and laid in bed the whole next week as many of his teammates would stand in front of his home on Linden waiting for word. The team dedicated to winning the next game Wooster played in Niles to the ill lad. Niles won that game and the next day Sunday Ed Davies passed away. So being the only Dragon to die from injuries suffered in a game. He is one of the greatest.

Rich Lemon

Above and to the left

Rich Lemon one of the best of the best breaks downfield for a big gain in 1991.

Steady at RB for three years he eaned Team Offensive Player of the Year Award 1990, All Trumbull County First Team (RB) 1990, All Trumbull County First Team (RB) 1991. Team Best Offensive Back 1992, All Trumbull County First Team (RB) 1992, All Trumbull County Team Captain 1992 and the Bo Rein Memorial Scholarship Award 1993.

He went on to Bucknell where he set the new standard setting vertually every record in the books.

1965

Larry Cella

Larry Cella played at the Offensive End and Defensive End until early 1965 when switched to LB. Adjusted quickly and fit in to a great degree. At Offensive End was Ray Muche's number one target and VS. Steubenville Central caught the winning pass a 57-yarder from Bob Leonard and Niles took the game 6-0.

Larry earned Outstanding Senior Award 1965, All Trumbull County First Team (E) 1965, All American Conference First Team (E) 1965, All American Conference First Team (LB) 1965, All Ohio Third Team UPI (E) 1965, Ohio North/South High School All Star Football Game (E) 1966.

Yes you see right! Larry was First Team All American Conference at both Offensive End and LB.

Played his college ball at Kent State where he landed the starting spot at LB for two years and was well respected by his coach.

1942

John DeVarich

John DeVarich one of the great Offensive Ends in Niles History. The go to man during the 1942 season and a very big reason why Niles went 8-1 that year. Always came up with the ball in the must catch situations. All Trumbull Couty First Team Right End in 1941 and 1942.

Joined Navy after graduation and while serving in the South Pacific during World War II a Japanese Kamikaze dived into his ship killing him.

1915-1916

Elmer Jones

Elmer Jones a great Center for Niles holding down that position in 1915 and 1916. He was the Captain of the 1916 team.

Sam Giangardella starting Linebacker as a sophomore through his senior year. From 1974 through 1976 Giangardella established himself as one of the very best LB in Niles history. As a starting LB through those three years Niles won 21 games, losing just 8 and one tie with the defense allowing just 9 points per game. Sam went on to Arizona University.

Mike Burns rips for yardage against the Youngstown Rayen Tigers in 1997

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