Rock Island assistant football coach Steve Ebner recently learned he will be inducted into the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony will take place on April 6 in Champaign.

"To tell you the truth, it was a surprise," said Ebner, who learned of his induction on Christmas Eve. "When you get into something like this, you've been doing it a long time. I've been with some really good programs, coaches and kids. It's a neat honor. It's a good thing."

Ebner, also the Rocky head softball coach who two years ago was inducted into the Illinois Softball Coaches Association Hall of Fame, has spent the last 22 seasons on the Rocky football staff. During that time, the Rocks have 18 playoff appearances and 12 Western Big 6 Conference titles.

Prior to his Rocky tenure, he was an assistant coach at Alleman under Wayne DeSutter and Mike Tracey. The Pioneers earned nine playoff berths and seven Big 6 titles in that span.

Ebner has coached in three state championship football games, plus led Alleman to the 1985 Class AA state softball title as head coach.