Football: Triton, sister schools to honor former star Brian Keller

By Phil Anastasia

Inquirer Staff Writer

Brian Keller was the heart and soul of the 2011 Triton football team.

A quarterback and defensive end, Keller led the Mustangs to an 8-3 record with all three losses to large-school sectional championship teams -- two to S.J. Group 4 champion Pennsauken and one to S.J. Grop 3 champion Timber Creek.

Timber Creek coach Rob Hinson used to call Keller "Tebow" in reference to the physical running style of former Florida University star and current Eagles reserve quarterback Tim Tebow.

Keller died in late June from injuries suffered in an automobile accident. He was preparing for his senior year as a tight end on the Lafayette College football team.

"It was just devastating to everybody who knew him," Triton coach Dom Tomeo said during practice on Wednesday.

Triton and its sister schools in the Black Horse Pike district -- Highland and Timber Creek -- will honor Keller this season by wearing "15" helmet decals in reference to Keller's number with the Mustangs.

In addition, Triton will retire Keller's No. 15 jersey at a ceremony before the Mustangs' Oct. 2 Homecoming Game against Highland.

Highland coach Brian Leary was an assistant coach at Triton during Keller's career with the Mustangs.

Tomeo said a framed No. 15 jersey as well as a framed No. 57 jersey -- retired for former standout lineman Nick Parisi, who died about a decade ago in a rock-climbing accident -- would be hung in the Mustangs' weight room.

Tomeo said above the jerseys will be the inscription, "Once a Mustang, Always a Mustang."

-- Contact Phil Anastasia at panastasia@phillynews.com

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