Eastside Catholic Crusaders football player Zach Lewis is the kind of athlete who takes advantage of golden opportunities.

Lewis, who started at quarterback as a junior during the 2016 season (replacing graduate Harley Kirsch), led his team to the Class 3A state semifinals in his first season under center. The Crusaders’ signal caller announced on Twitter on Dec. 17 that he was selected to compete in the 2017 US Army All-American National Combine in San Antonio, Texas. The combine, which features the 40-yard dash, vertical jump, shuttle agility drill and one-on-one throwing sessions, is taking place from Jan. 5 through Jan. 7 at San Antonio’s Alamodome.

“I was really honored. It is a huge accomplishment and a compliment to be nominated. It is a huge deal for me and shows my hard work is really showing. It just motivates me to keep doing more,” Lewis said of being selected to compete in the combine.

Lewis knows the eyes of collegiate scouts will be on every player partaking in the combine at the Alamodome.

“It’s just an opportunity to show what I have been working for. I feel I have put in the work to not be nervous. I have done enough work to go out there, be confident and just play,” Lewis said.

While the combine is a once in a lifetime opportunity for Lewis individually, the senior-to-be is looking forward to getting his team back in the big dance during the 2017 season. The Crusaders, who won back-to-back state titles in 2014 and 2015, didn’t advance to the state championship game for the first time since 2011 this past fall. Kamiakian defeated the Crusaders 30-27 in the Class 3A state semifinals on Nov. 26, 2016.

“Losing is never fun. It is something we hate as a team. It doesn’t sit well with us. It is motivating us to go out and work even harder. The whole team is motivated to not let that happen again,” Lewis said of losing in the playoffs. “We’re doing everything that we can to be prepared to go win a state title.”