Decatur Staleys

In the early days of the DNFL, having the first draft pick alone could turn your franchise around, and the proof is Decatur. From 1979-1985, Decatur finished last in its division (and sometimes in the whole league) in all even-numbered years, and made the playoffs in all odd-numbered years, often after having the first draft choice overall. Decatur played in DNFL Bowl I and won DNFL Bowl III. In the 14-year stretch from 1986-1999, Decatur made the playoffs only once, but after a 2-12 season in 1997, things started looking up with QB Peyton Manning's arrival. Decatur went 25 years without a DNFL championship until finally winning in 2006 for the first time since 1981, and repeated again in 2007. Decatur had it's best regular season record ever in 2008. Decatur under Bill Bike is one of only three DNFL franchises with the combo of original owner, never moving, and never changing its team name.

Decatur Staleys
All Time Record


Yearly Record

Playoff Record



Year W L T Conf. PF/PA Finish in Division
1978 4 4 0 4-4 226/221 4
1979 7 4 0 2-1 317/273 1
1980 5 9 0 3-3 306/365 4
1981 8 6 0 3-3 355/346 2 + wildcard
1982 1 5 1 0-2-1 164/213 4
1983 11 3 0 5-1 497/387 1
1985 3 11 0 3-3 401/393 4
1986 6 8 0 2-4 400/418 3
1987 4 6 0 3-3 266/303 3
1988 6 8 0 3-3 472/429 3
1989 7 7 0 4-2 420/394 2
1990 3 11 0 0-6 328/368 4
1991 9 5 0 4-2 449/357 1
1992 2 12 0 1-5 320/420 4
1993 6 8 0 3-3 283/312 2
1994 6 8 0 3-3 385/408 4
1995 6 8 0 3-3 371/452 3
1996 5 9 0 0-6 358/436 4
1997 2 12 0 0-6 327/469 4
1998 7 7 0 2-4 413/405 3
1999 7 7 0 2-4 440/463 3
2000 11 3 0 6-0 480/397 1
2001 10 4 0 6-0 556/430 1
2002 7 7 0 4-2 491/469 2
2003 7 7 0 4-2 456/419 2
2004 11 2 1 5-1 671/464 1
2005 3 10 1 1-4-1 422/525 4
2006 7 5 2 3-2-1 470/514 1
2007 8 6 0 4-2 536/467 1
2008 12 2 0 5-1 1  
Tot: 200 209 5 88-94-3    
Year Result
1979 Decatur 43, Pittsburgh 7
  Bellwood 21, Decatur 16
1981 Decatur 32, Canton 16
  Decatur 43, Bellwood 18
1983 Hermitage 63, Decatur 19
1985 Decatur 29, Pittsburgh 13
  St. Croix 39, Decatur 31
1991 East Troy 48, Decatur 29
2000 Hermitage 58, Decatur 26
2001 Decatur 24, East Troy 22
  Windsor 27, Decatur 13
2004 Lower Niles 47, Decatur 21
2006 Decatur 64, Hermitage 31
  Decatur 43, Windsor 28
2007 Decatur 15, Parma 13
  Decatur 32, Etobicoke 21
* Philly (SDFL) 71, Decatur 18
2008 Hermitage 51, Decatur 28

* Len Tomaszewski Bowl I