Rancocas Valley to fete alumnus Franco Harris

Franco Harris' football career landed the former Rancocas Valley star in the Hall of Fame.

It began with some tough practices during his freshman season.

"That was a rude awakening," Harris said Thursday. "I never really played football as a youngster. I was more of a baseball-basketball guy."

Harris will return to Rancocas Valley on Friday to be honored as part of the Hometown Hall of Famer program, sponsored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Allstate Insurance.

Harris will be presented with a plaque that will be displayed in the trophy case at Rancocas Valley, where he was an All-South Jersey running back and 1969 graduate.

Harris went on to star at Penn State and for the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers.

"Something like this makes you reflect back on just how important that segment of your life was," Harris said of high school. "I realize how special it was. We have a great high school in Mount Holly, a great education system, a great athletic system.

"What happened there is what enabled me to enter the next phase of my life."

Harris, who lives in Pittsburgh, played for South Jersey Hall of Fame coach Bill Gordon at Rancocas Valley. Harris said he remembers the lessons taught by his freshman coach, Tony Petrillo.

"Those were some tough workouts," Harris said. "That really set me on my way."