SHELBY, Michigan — Jonah Kelley’s story is a classic. He played soccer at Shelby High School for four years before coming back to coach the team.
But it seems this classic has a twist. It’s now the mystery of the winning season.
“I’m not a soccer guru by any means," laughed Kelley.
Maybe it’s his love of the game that got them eight wins.
“It was an opportunity I couldn't really pass up wanted to share my knowledge of soccer to some of these younger kids," he said.
Maybe it’s the leading men, their three captains, including Jonah's youngest brother, a sophomore center mid named Eli.
"We got a lot of chemistry with each other," said another captain, Samuel Castro.
Or maybe it’s thanks to the self-appointed team manager. Jonah’s brother, Andrew Kelley.
The main character of this team.
"I love soccer," said Andrew.
A lover of every part of soccer, except playing.
“Andrew spent more time running back back and forth past the sidelines waving at us," laughed Jonah, reflecting on his time playing high school soccer with his brother. "He had probably four touches on the season.”
Jonah took the coaching job with a package deal. His team manager had to come with.
“[Andrew] pretty much just follows me around on the sideline and does everything exactly as I do," said Jonah.
“He copies everything so you know everything they're saying," said Eli.
“His energy brings everybody up," agreed left wing Andrew Hayes.
“He also will occasionally stop copying me and interject if I'm ever yelling at a kid or or getting getting on somebody's case. He'll ‘Jonah, stop that, be nice. Be nice.’"
Living in the shadow isn’t so bad when it’s behind your very best friend.
“We’re homies!” said Andrew.
These brothers and soccer? They go hand in hand. Literally.
They do a handshake every game that's eight years old.
“Andrew has certainly been more of a help to me than I have been to him. So to be able to share him with with people is a pretty special thing," smiled Jonah.
A coach, his shadow and their winning team. That's the ultimate hat trick.
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