2014 Inductee John Lepley, 1954
John Lepley, a 1954 graduate of Bellevue High School, was one of the most dominant athletes of his generation. Although he died at the age of 42 in 1978, John is still remembered by many as one of the best football players to ever wear the red and white. He earned seven varsity letters, four in football and three in basketball.
On the hardwood, John was Second Team All-NOL as a junior and First Team as a senior. Playing in the “big school” division at that time (only two divisions at the time), he was also named Third Team All-Ohio Class A as a senior. He was team MVP and leading scorer with 301 points. Bellevue was outright NOL champ his sophomore and senior seasons and shared the title with Bucyrus and Shelby during his junior season.
The Redmen went 16-2 his senior year, losing to Ashland in the regular season and Tiffin Calvert in the Sectional Tournament.
While earning four varsity letters in football, John was named First Team All-NOL quarterback as a junior in 1952 while the Redmen went 5-3-1. His senior year he ran or threw for 10 touchdowns and also kicked the extra points. He was a two-way starter for the Redmen.
He was also named First Team All-NOL QB as a senior on a team that finished 7-2. He was also co-captain, the Most Valuable Player, and was named Honorable Mention All-Ohio Class A.
Although John also played American Legion baseball and had a tryout with the Cleveland Indians, he received a football scholarship from Woody Hayes to play at The Ohio State University. He played in the 1954 Spring Game and he received his freshman letter and numerals.