Biography

The 1997 season in North Attleboro began with high ambitions.  Long-time assistant coach Paul Sullivan had taken over the head coaching reigns, and he had a stable of talented athletes he would be leading.  With future Hall of Famers Ethan Hamilton at running back, Mark Vandette at split-end, and Kyle VanDeGiesen at quarterback the ingredients were in place for a well-balanced offensive attack if a strong line could be developed.  Over the next three months it would become crystal clear the line, led by 6'1", 211 lb senior Pat Kelleher at center and right guard Joe Di George not only developed – they excelled!

The Rocketeers’ 322 points scored, nearly 2,000 rushing yards, and VanDeGiesen’s 16 touchdown passes and 1,357 yards through the air were a testimony to the hard work of the offensive line.  Never was this more evident than in the team’s final game of the season, a 20-14 victory over Swampscott in which North rushed for 238 yards, controlling the clock and neutralizing the interior strength of Swampscott’s large defensive line to lead the Red & White to their 4th Eastern Massachusetts Division 3 Super Bowl Championship.  

Kelleher, who at season’s end was called “one of the best, most athletic offensive lineman in the past 20 years at NA” by coach Sullivan, also excelled at defensive tackle as part of a superb front four that included Hall of Fame end Dave Reed.  Against rival Bishop Feehan it wasn’t until Kelleher “ran down Bishop Feehan QB Justin McGowan, thwarting the potential game-winning, two-point conversion play with 35 seconds remaining”, did the Rocketeers secure a 7-6 victory.  In a key early win over Stoughton Kelleher “picked up a Black Knight fumble and rumbled 53 yards for a touchdown, helping blow the game open on a stellar defensive play” by he and a fumble-causing teammate.

North’s defense was superb throughout the year, limiting 8 of their last 10 opponents to 1 TD or less, including arch rival Foxboro.  The Warriors entered the game as the state’s highest scoring team and with an 8-0 record, yet they were forced into 2 fumbles, 2 interceptions, and 3 sacks (including a 9-yard loss by Kelleher) in a 31-7 thrashing by Big Red witnessed by over 5,000 fans.  

Kelleher’s value to North’s team goes well beyond his 18 defensive tackles and 14 assists.  The two-year starter on offense was immense on both sides of the ball, and as the team’s long snapper in helping lead his team to the Hockomock League and Division 3 Super Bowl titles.  For his efforts Pat was named to both The Sun Chronicle and Hockomock League all-star teams in 1997, and he received the Thomas G. Bury Award which is presented annually to the senior player whose play best exemplifies Tom’s unceasing desire and devotion for North Attleboro Football.