From Kelly Sansregret to Bryson McNeil and everyone in between, there have been many East Side Eagles standouts at the quarterback position who’ve brought home hardware at the MMJFL level.
Carter Kutzan is the most recent Eagle to continue the program’s legeacy. The league MVP as a rookie, Kutzan added another trophy to his collection last season, helping the Eagles win their fifth title in program history.
Well known for his toughness, Kutzan isn’t afraid to make plays with his legs to get a first down. He did it all throughout a storied WHSFL career with Murdoch, including his 2019 senior year at the D1 level, where he had over 1300 all-purpose yards.
Not much has changed regarding his playing style, but Kutzan’s leadership has certainly blossomed.
“It’s pretty much the same,” chuckled Kutzan about his fearless playing style.
“[Head coach Stefan] Hirsch has tried to get me to change, but I’ve argued with him about that. Obviously you have to be a little bit smarter when you have guys that are 23-years-old and have played two years of junior in BC, but I make it work.”
Hirsch is working with Kutzan to “choose his moments better” regarding when to take the ball himself and swallow a hit, but at the same time, it’s who he is, and his teammates rally around him.
The proof could be seen in last year’s result, as the Eagles scored a league-best 135 points.
“Carter is a quiet leader who lets his play do the talking,” added Hirsch. “He plays the game fearlessly and is always a big play waiting to happen. He’s someone that our team rallies around and is a big contributor for all things we hope to accomplish.”
With veteran Danny Harris back from injury, along with big-time playmakers in former WHSFL D2 Player of the Year Daniel Wilson and receiver Riley Ho, among others, East Side returned to the pinnacle.
This came just one year after a new staff with Hirsch and company was put in place. Kutzan says the team’s chemistry was a big reason for their success, with Hirsch focusing on team-building outside of regular practices.
That’ll continue this season for an Eagles team that won Coaching Staff of the Year and didn’t graduate that many players from their championship roster.
“Coach Hirsch is a great dude, I love playing for him. He’s trying to build a program rather than a team,” added Kutzan.
“He just likes to make sure we’re prepared. As long as we’re prepared and having fun, he’s enjoying it. We went paintballing last week, and we’re doing a bunch of fundraisers and community markets and team BBQs. When you’re at practice the d-line doesn’t really get to bond with the receivers too much, but when you get outside and do other things, everyone gets to link up.”
Kutzan specifically noted that Ho and former Manitoba Bisons commit Brighton Kwiatek will be players to watch this season.
The former played U16 with Kutzan, and also touch football, and their chemistry will make them one of the top QB-receiver tandems this season, while Kwiatek will lead the boys in the trenches.
“We’re bringing back a lot of guys, which will be good. My guy Riley is a stud, and then you have guys like Brighton who anchors things. There’s not one guy that’s going to do it all. I want to shout out everybody, because we all play well together.”