Rick Keeley-Berks Catholic

Rick Keeley has retired as a teacher at Berks Catholic, but he’ll still be roaming the sideline with the Saints’ football team. Keeley is preparing for his 37th season as a head football coach, a Berks County record. We talked about his new life outside of the classroom. When asked what he loves most about coaching, Keeley answered immediately. “The kids. The kids keep me young. I enjoy coming in every day and working with the kids. I do it because of the kids,” he said with his trademark smile. Keeley is (270-148-3) overall and a remarkable (108-29) over eleven years at Berks Catholic. He’s guided the Saints to four District 3 championships. Their streak of seven consecutive trips to the District 3 final came to an end two years ago. Keeley also captured District 3 gold with Holy Name in 2010. Berks Catholic finished (7-5) last season and reached the District 3-4A semifinals. The Saints have to replace two-thirds of their Wing-T backfield. Halfback Christian Cacchione and 225-pound fullback Luke Hughes graduated. Cacchione ran for a team-high 1,196 yards and 13TD. Hughes added 554 yards and seven scores. JayJay Jordan (807 yards) will be joined by speedy junior Marvin Armistead. Devin Garcia, a 190-pound junior, will get the first crack at fullback. Keeley said, “He’s been faithful in the weight room here. He’s made himself stronger. Those two positions, fullback and linebacker, you really have to be tough. He has a bright future ahead of him.” Garcia’s older brother, Luis, was a standout football and basketball player for the Saints. William Hess is expected to get the nod at quarterback. “He’s certainly someone who’s been around the program his entire life. He’s been running the Wing-T since he’s been old enough to call a play. He has moxie about him. You know you’re going to get the best effort out of him, and he really works hard at throwing the ball,” Keeley said. William’s father, Bill, played for Keeley at Holy Name. Bill Hess served as athletic director at Holy Name and Berks Catholic. The longtime assistant football coach is currently the Head of School at Berks Catholic. The Saints return a handful of starters on offense and four on defense. Pat Sisk left Exeter to become the new defensive coordinator at Berks Catholic. Keeley is looking forward to joining the Lancaster-Lebanon League. He told me that it was very difficult to find non-league matchups when the Saints were in the Berks Football League. Berks Catholic will be part of Section 4 along with Wyomissing, Conrad Weiser, Cocalico, Lampeter-Strasburg, ELCO, Donegal, and Octorara. The Saints and Spartans will renew their rivalry on September 16th. They haven’t squared off since 2019.