3 generations of Pennridge quarterbacks: Grandfather and uncle helped Rams to victory, too

While Friday night's football game against Bensalem will mark junior Noah Keating's 19th start as Pennridge quarterback, he doesn't have a great deal of experience at the position.

Keating didn't play quarterback until eighth grade at Pennridge South Middle School after being a fullback and defensive end as a seventh grader.

In addition to the Pennridge coaching staff, Keating has the benefit of working with a pair of experienced quarterbacks in former Rams head coach Jeff Hollenbach and ex-Pennridge QB Sam Hollenbach — each a former Division I college quarterback who went to an NFL camp — as valuable resources as he continues to develop at the position.

The Hollenbachs are also his grandfather and uncle, making Keating an unprecedented third-generation Rams quarterback.

"It's crazy to think two of my close relatives were Pennridge quarterbacks in front of me," Keating said. "It's super helpful having them help me as a quarterback and understand the game better."

The Hollenbachs tend to work most with Keating on negative plays to determine what he was thinking/seeing at the time and how he can correct it. They like the way Keating responds to suggestions.

"In Noah, I saw and see a lot of the same things from when I was growing up," Sam Hollenbach said. "I've seen the competitive nature and the passion to improve. It's things nobody else sees, like being on vacation together and playing basketball out in the driveway of the rental house."

All three were/are dropback QBs with good size — Keating and Jeff Hollenbach are 6-foot-3 to Sam Hollenbach's 6-5. Decision-making tends to be their strengths, as well as the willingness to take a hit in order to get the ball out to a receiver.

"Noah and Sam are both cerebral," Jeff Hollenbach said. "They're intelligent and mentally pick up the game quickly. They not only know what they're supposed to do but what the other guys (on their team) are supposed to do."

SOL National football preview: For Pennridge, defending champ Central Bucks West, CB South and others

Jeff (1969-70) and Sam (2001-02) Hollenbach were two-year starting quarterbacks at Pennridge.

Jeff set five school records that still stand, including career passing yardage (3,768) and started for two seasons at Illinois. He spent 13 years as the Rams' head coach, compiling a 113-47 record and winning five Suburban One League titles.

Jeff Hollenbach, 71, is the mayor of Perkasie.

Now 40 and CEO/president of Amp Health in Great Falls, Virginia, Sam Hollenbach completed 168 of 308 (.545) passes for 2,754 yards and 26 touchdowns as a Pennridge starter, which included the 2001 SOL championship team with Jeff as the head coach. He started for two seasons at Maryland, earning MVP honors in the 2006 Champ Sports Bowl.

Keating, who is 17 and lives in Sellersville, became Pennridge's starting quarterback midway through his freshman year in 2022. He passed for 1,398 yards and 14 touchdowns last season as a sophomore.

"I feel like it's going pretty well," Keating said. "I feel like there's plenty of season left and I'm making improvements. The main thing is focus on not making the same mistakes twice and getting better."

In the 40-14 loss to Liberty, Keating was 16-of-25 passing for 123 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. The Rams host 1-0 Bensalem on Friday night.

"Like Sam, Noah is blessed with arm accuracy," Jeff Hollenbach said. "I've been watching that from the beginning."

Top quarterbacks ranked: Ranking best PA high school football quarterbacks in Bucks County, eastern Montco

There are three generations of Pennridge football players on Keating's paternal side of the family, too.

Dad Mitch was a center/linebacker and co-captain on Hollenbach's first championship team in 1998. Grandfather Gary Keating played linebacker on Wayne Helman's 1967 Rams squad.

Keating joined Sam Hollenbach and Jeff Hollenbach on the list of Pennridge captains this year as a junior and hopes to follow in their footsteps as a Division I collegiate quarterback.

Sam Hollenbach, for one, expects it to happen. He's been impressed by Keating's progress and how much Keating wants to learn.

"He has what it takes, especially on the cognitive side of it," Sam Hollenbach said. "Mental toughness is really important. My dad had that and Noah has it. He texts me all the time asking about tips and how to improve on a certain throw. ... Noah's biggest asset is being adaptable and committed to improvement."

"As the grandfather I recognize my bias, but he checks many of the boxes that colleges are looking for," Jeff Hollenbach said. "I hope someone at the Division 1 level, FBS or FCS, gives him a chance."

With his uncle and grandfather providing input as quarterback Noah Keating continues on his football journey.

Tom Moore: tmoore@couriertimes.com ; @TomMoorePhilly is a sports columnist for PhillyBurbs.com . Support our journalism with a subscription.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: 3 generations of Pennridge quarterbacks: Grandfather and uncle helped Rams to victory, too