2004 Inductee Marc McClain
Bellevue’s Career Leader- Rushing and Scoring
In 1963 the Bellevue Redmen, 8-1, wrapped up a share of the NOL grid title with a final victory over the Shelby Whippets, 12-0. The Redmen shared the title with Bucyrus and Willard.
Bellevue lost just four games in four seasons. One of the main reasons was Marc McClain, a regular for four seasons.
McClain first drew attention of fans at the ripe old age of 14 when he was a freshman in 1960.
In his first season, he scored 102 points for the Redmen, including 13 touchdowns. His average per carry that year was 11 yards.
As a sophomore in 1961 , he scored 18 touchdowns for Bellevue and totaled 118 points. He increased his average per carry to 13 yards.
In 1962, as a junior, he did not carry as much as in the previous two years, but still totaled 78 points for the season. His average for carries that year was 15 yards. During 1962, McClain played only a little better than two quarters in each game because the Redmen were so strong.
McClain, in his senior year, scored 17 touchdowns and four extra points for a total of 110 points. He carried the ball 151 times and gained 1,629 yards for an amazing average of 10.8 yards per carry. The Redmen gained 3,289 yards rushing in nine games played.
In four years, McClain amassed a total of 408 points, which included 59 touchdowns. The hard running back averaged 34 yards on his touchdown jaunts and averaged 13 yards per carry for his career.
Although McClain’s greatest achievements were in football, he played an important part on the BHS track team, where he lettered two years. He also won two varsity letters and captained the golf team. Playing varsity basketball, he, proved himself more than capable, in bagging his share of points. He is currently tenth on the All Time BHS Career Scoring with 851 points.
McClain capped his brilliant athletic career with the following achievements:
- All Northern Ohio League First Team selection three consecutive years.
- All Ohio Honorable Mention sophomore year by Associated Press and United Press International.
- All Ohio Third Team junior year by Associated Press and United Press International including second in balloting for “Back of the Year,” in State of Ohio.
- Ohio Veteran of Foreign Wars (VFW), Ohio Athlete of the Year.
- High School All American by Original Wigwam Club of America.
- High School All American by National Scholastic Magazine.
- Selected as a starter on offense and defense for Ohio High School North-South game.
- All NOL Honorable Mention junior year and All NOL Second Team senior year in basketball.
In all, McClain, won 12 varsity letters: Four in football, four in basketball, two in track, and two in golf.