SAYBROOK TOWNSHIP — Two years ago, Lakeside senior Joe Kelly was on a path that was leading anywhere but in the direction of his dream. So he rolled up his sleeves and went to work.

And because of that work, Kelly will be playing football while attending Thiel College in Greenville, Pa., next fall.

“When I found out he got accepted at Thiel, I was probably more excited than he was,” Lakeside football coach Bill Lipps said. “He worked hard the last two years just to be eligible (academically). He worked just as hard (in the classroom) as he did in the weight room and at practice.”

Kelly knew the only way to reach his dream was to hit the books hard and raise his grades and ACT score to a level he could be accepted at Thiel.

“It starts in the classroom,” Kelly, the son of Cheryl Kelly and Joe Miller said. “If you don’t have the grades, you can’t play. I had trouble with the ACT. I got in as soon as I got the right score. I did a lot of studying. It was a lot of hard work. I stayed after a lot and talked to my teachers.

“Playing at the college level was my dream. Some guys say the NFL, but I’m cool with playing college ball.”

Football helped Kelly to reach his goals in the classroom.

“Football is the same as everyday life,” Kelly said. “It teaches you hard work and determination. You use that for everyday life.

“It’s going to be hard work (being a student-athlete in college). (Football) was a big factor (in my grades getting better). My grades will have to come first (in college), football will be second.”

The dream of playing college football will help Kelly reach another dream of his. This one far more important than just putting on some pads and playing a game.

“One of my goals is to be an all-conference player as a freshman,” Kelly said. “And I want to get my degree in either communication or education (in the long term).

“No one in my family ever got a degree or even went to college. I want them to put that praise on me. And today, without a (college) degree, you can’t do anything.”

And Lipps wants to see Kelly reach that goal, as well.

“I just want to make sure Joe graduates,” Lipps said. “All I care about is that Joe becomes a really, really productive member of the community. I know he’s going to do that. He’ll probably be right back here coaching at Lakeside one day.”     Thiel

Lipps was a big influence on Kelly the past couple of years.

“Coach Lipps helped me a lot,” Kelly said. “I talked to him at least twice a week. As soon as I decided to go to Thiel, I texted him. We talked about it being the right fit and my academics and all that.”

Kelly will major in either communication or education.

“I want to be a gym teacher and a coach or a broadcaster,” Kelly said. “I want to do something in sports, no matter what.”

His reason for wanting to teach is so can be a role model. And he also sees he can fit a niche that he sees few people fill.

“I just try to be a good guy,” Kelly said. “What I try to do is pass that to other people.

“I figure I don’t see any black teachers. If I jump into teaching, maybe there will be some other black teachers. Maybe some (prospective black teachers) are scared, but I figure if I do it, maybe some others will want to.”

Kelly chose Thiel over Heidelberg for a few very specific reasons.

“It felt like a great fit,” Kelly said. “My family was a big part of the decision. I want to be close to home. I also like the facility and the field.”

“I’m a mama’s boy. I have to be able to check in. I want her to come and see me. I love it. I’m excited to play close to home so my family can watch me play.”

“I’m just glad he’s going close to home,” Lipps said. “I know it was important to him that his parents get to see him play. It’s important to him to be able to get back home. He was looking at Heidelberg, but he wouldn’t be able to get home. I’ll get to go see him play, too.”

Kelly, 5-foot-11, 185-pounds, has a chance to make a splash right away on the college gridiron.

“I’m a strong safety,” Kelly said. “I think I have a good chance to start. The coach told me I will either start or have a chance to compete for a starting spot. I’ll see playing time as a freshman.

“I’m ready, man. The reason I picked Thiel was I knew I could play for them from the start. I’m ready to play.”

For the Dragons, Kelly was a running back on the offensive side of the ball, and filled in a t quarterback at one point. He scored 36 points, rushed for 491 yards (7.8 yards per carry).

As a defensive back, Kelly intercepted four passes and recovered a fumble.

On special teams, he averaged 31 yards per kick return and 11.7 yards per punt return.

But he knows there are some things he needs to do to improve upon his game.

“I’ve got to get faster,” Kelly said. “I have to gain weight and get faster. This is a higher level. Everyone is bigger. Everyone is faster.”

And some of the traits Kelly and Lipps feel the staff at Thiel saw in him should help in those matters.

“I’m a hard worker and I’m determined,” Kelly said.

“He’ll play as hard for those guys as he did for me,” Lipps said. “One of the coaches, Corey Russell, talked to him several times. When you see enough film of Joe, you can’t help but think he’s a great player. Then you meet him socially. When he walks in the room with that big smile, you fall in love with him.”

“He’s got a chance to be a special part of the program (at Thiel).”