Harriton coach Matt Barr is very demanding. It’s Barr who reshaped the Harriton program and brought it back to respectability. It’s Barr who’s pushed and prodded his players, demanding the best from them. It’s been somewhat of a frustrating season for Barr, who had District 1 Class AAA playoff aspirations.
But broach the name “Ryan Kelly” and Barr beams.
“Ryan is everything a high school football player should be, he’s dedicated, smart, a team player, a great leader that’s always looking what’s best for the team, not what’s best for him,” Barr said earlier this season. “Ryan is a real joy to coach, I really can’t say enough positive things about him. I know he’s going to be successful at anything he does, because that’s Ryan. It’s part of his character. When that kid goes, it’s going to be a tough loss. He’s a great football player, but more importantly, he’s a great kid.”
Find out what's happening in Ardmore-Merion-Wynnewoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The Rams sit at 4-5 after a disappointing loss to Penncrest last Friday. But this Friday holds a special meaning for the Harriton seniors, who will be playing in their last game when powerful Strath Haven visits at 7 p.m.
“Losing to Penncrest was a tough loss, especially for the seniors,” said Kelly, a two-sport star who getting major Ivy League attention from Penn, Cornell, Princeton and Columbia, and also interest from Lehigh. “We have to keep fighting and we have just one game left. This is it for us, especially the seniors. This is our last game. This is all I’ve known.”
Find out what's happening in Ardmore-Merion-Wynnewoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Kelly said he could remember the first day of practice at Harriton in his freshman year. He’s seen the program make a complete 180-degree turn, thanks in large part to him—though you won’t hear him say that. Kelly would rather look at the pleasure of playing with quarterback Pat Moriarty and his senior teammates than take any credit himself.
“This week will be it, I think it’s why you have to make every practice and every second of every practice count,” Kelly said.
“Everyone will know it will be the last time I wear my high school uniform. I love playing with these guys, and I play with an amazing quarterback and amazing teammates, and a great coaching staff. It will be sad.
“We wanted to turn things around, and I’ve seen 100-percent transformation in this program. I’m just one of the stepping stones in turning this program around.”
