With your heart racing, players run closer and closer to you, trying desperately to take you down. There is a faint roar in the back of your head as coaches are screaming and fans with bated breath wait for you to make the next play. This is how it feels to be senior, Ryan Kirby, the new JC Varsity Football Quarterback.

Kirby has been playing football for 11 years now,  with the Bel Air Terps and now with the Patriots, and he’s played on both the JV and varsity teams at JC.  Kirby feels that being the quarterback because it gives him an opportunity to be a leader that the team can count on in any situation.  According to teammate Ryan Eilerman, he is doing just that.  “He’s a good team captain and setting a good example for everyone on the team,” Eilerman said.

According to Kirby, the position of quarterback can also be stressful at times with the large amount of criticism by coaches and players.  “It isn’t easy for me because I don’t take criticism very well. However, I know that my coaches are only trying to make me better and help the team when they correct me,” Kirby said.

Even though Kirby admits that he take criticism well, he still listens to it.  “He does everything the coaching staff asks him to do,” Athletic Director Tim Perry said.

Despite the challenges of being a high school quarterback, Kirby believes it that his role is rewarding. “The most rewarding thing about football is leading the team down the field for touchdown and winning the game. It’s my job to get the offense in a position to win the game, and when I can do that, it’s very rewarding,” Kirby said.

JC’s first game against St. Paul’s School did not play out as well as Kirby had planned. “We all wanted to win that game badly and we gave it our best effort, but the outcome wasn’t want we wanted. We were our own opponent that game,” Kirby said.

“There were mistakes, but very fixable,” Eilerman said.

Putting thefirst game behind him and focusing on the future, Kirby’s team goal this year is to win a championship, and he plans to do everything he can to help his team reach that goal. “Kirby has big shoes to fill, and he’s been very dedicated to fill them,” Eilerman said.

Amanda Graziano can be reached for comment at [email protected].