In an impressive turnaround, former Dieruff High football coach Kyle Beller has led the Pennridge Rams to the District 1 semifinals in his third season at the helm. The Rams, boasting an 11-1 record, are set to face off against Coatesville at 7 PM on Friday night, just two wins away from capturing the school”s first district title and three victories from a state finals appearance.
Beller, a 1997 graduate of Dieruff High, previously coached the Huskies for seven seasons, finishing with a record of 22-47 before resigning in 2019. After stints on coaching staffs at Bethlehem Catholic and Whitehall, Beller was eager for another head coaching opportunity, which he found at Pennridge. His first two seasons saw struggles with records of 3-8 and 4-7, but this fall has marked a significant change in fortune for the program.
The Rams kicked off their season with a 31-21 victory against Liberty and are currently ranked 10th in the state according to Pennlive.com. “It has been a great journey,” Beller stated. “At Dieruff, we just couldn”t get over the hump. I wanted to learn from other programs and improve my craft. I took away valuable lessons from my time at those schools.” At Pennridge, he has found a tradition-rich program with strong support, excellent facilities, and an enthusiastic fan base.
Beller expressed the satisfaction of witnessing his players grow and develop confidence throughout the season. “The commitment level of everyone across the board has been special, and the reward of that commitment is something we cherish,” he noted. “Right now, we are focused on the process and continuing to improve.” The Rams have a balanced attack, averaging 28.4 points per game while allowing only 14.9.
Leading the offense is senior quarterback Noah Keating, who has thrown for 1,340 yards and 13 touchdowns, while also rushing for 303 yards and 11 scores. Senior running backs William Dougherty and Ryan Rowe have both rushed for nearly 700 yards, combining for 13 touchdowns. Junior receiver Sean Leuthe leads the receiving corps with 27 receptions for 471 yards and three touchdowns. Defensively, sophomore Blake Landherr and Rowe lead the team in tackles, with 94 and 84, respectively.
Beller reflected on the significance of the season opener against Liberty, noting that last year”s 40-14 defeat had set the stage for a strong performance this year. “Winning that game gave us a big momentum boost,” he said. “Our kids learned how to win, and that has carried us through the rest of the season.” Beller emphasized the importance of offseason preparation and the daily commitment of his players.
As a business teacher at the high school, Beller has also appreciated the community”s support. “Pennridge people love their football,” he remarked. “This year, the support has been phenomenal. The community and administration back all sports and extracurricular events, and that means a lot to us.” With a challenging matchup against Coatesville ahead, Beller and the Rams are determined to keep their winning streak alive.
