With everything on the line, Eastside Catholic Crusaders head coach Jeremy Thielbahr and his coaching staff decided to throw caution to the wind.

The Eastside Catholic Crusaders weren’t intimidated by the Bellevue Wolverines in the Class 3A championship game and they proved it with their aggressive play calling. The Crusaders converted 4-of-6 of their fourth down attempts, which played a pivotal factor in the Crusaders 35-13 victory in the Class 3A state championship game on Dec. 5 at the Tacoma Dome.

The riverboat gambling style exuded by the Crusaders was a testament to the confidence the coaching staff has in signal caller Harley Kirsch. Kirsch delivered with one of the most complete performances of his high school career against Bellevue. The junior left-hander went 20-for-22 for 188 yards and had two passing touchdowns. He also rumbled for 94 yards on the ground. Kirsch’s 28-yard touchdown pass on a fourth down play to Devon Arbis-Jackson, which gave the Crusaders a 21-13 lead in the third quarter, was the straw that broke Bellevue’s back. The Wolverines never responded and the Crusaders cruised to their first ever state championship on the gridiron.

“Harley was amazing tonight and did a phenomenal job. He put in a state championship performance and it was exactly what we needed,” Thielbahr said.

Kirsch isn’t the kind of person who likes to pat himself on the back. He’s a selfless leader who always gives credit to his teammates around him.

“Obviously when you get fourth down conversions its huge. Our offensive line did amazing. My teammates make my job really easy. I know every guy on this team will dig down deep and get it done. It was an amazing team effort today,” Kirsch said.

Arbis-Jackson is undoubtedly a huge Harley Kirsch fan.

“He’s a great player. He’s made this team what it is,” Arbis-Jackson said.

This past summer one of the first places I visited during my first week on the job was an Eastside Catholic football practice session. During my interview with Thielbahr, he raved about Kirsch’s wide array of skills and said he trusted his decision making 100-percent.

“Frankly, he has got the keys to the car,” Thielbahr said in late August.

A mere 14 weeks later, Kirsch led his team to the Class 3A state championship. In 2015, Kirsch will have the keys to the Eastside Catholic offense yet again as the Crusaders will strive to win back-to-back state titles.

Shaun Scott: 425-453-5045; sscott@bellevuereporter.com