To say Eastside Catholic Crusaders head football coach Jeremy Theilbahr has confidence in junior quarterback Harley Kirsch would be an understatement.
Theilbahr, who is in his fourth season as head coach of the Crusaders, gives Kirsch a plentiful amount of autonomy to run the offense. It payed dividends last year as the Crusaders advanced to the Class 3A state championship game. Kirsch put together a phenomenal sophomore season where he finished with 35 touchdown passes and just three interceptions. The left-hander completed 70-percent of his pass attempts.
“Frankly, he has got the keys to the car,” Theilbahr said of Kirsch. “Our quarterback makes most of the calls. Having a general and basically another coach on the field is huge for us. Harley is a student of the game. He is very advanced schematically to the highest level of quarterback mastery at the high school level. He has really embraced what we do on offense and is a great quarterback. He went 12 games last year without throwing a single pick (interception).”
Theilbahr said Kirsch is a great leader on and off the field.
“He has been the team captain since his sophomore year and he is going to be a team captain for us this year. We’re excited about him and are lucky to have him,” he said. “He is a tribute to his family and Eastside Catholic.”
Kirsch said the Crusaders epitomize the true meaning of a team.
“It’s a great group of guys and its fun coming out here to practice everyday,” Kirsch said. “We’ve all been able to gel really nicely and work together as team instead of just having everyone kind of on their own. We have a lot of team unity.”
The 6 foot, 3-inch, 220-pound signal caller enjoys being in charge of the offense.
“I like managing the offense and managing the team. I just try to distribute the ball and let my teammates make the big play. I just like to make sure everything runs smoothly,” Kirsch said.
Theilbahr said a bevy of schools are interested in his quarterback.
“Harley has got plenty of offers and plenty of options. He wants to go to a school that really wants him and a place that fits his skill set,” he said. “He’s a MaxPreps All-American and has been the MVP of a lot different camps.”
The Crusaders haven’t forgotten last season’s 52-20 loss to Bellevue in the 3A title game.
“Everyone here I believe would say winning state is the only goal we have,” Kirsch said.
Theilbahr said Kirsch is humble but is a fearless competitor at the same time.
“He’s so focused on the team and he’s a guy that wants to win a state championship. That is what he is desperately wanting to do,” the coach said. “He’s an emotional player.”
Shaun Scott: 425-453-5054; sscott@bellevuereporter.com
