Now is Shirk's Time to Shine (Video)
8/20/2010 11:20:59 AM | Football
Millersville, Pa. - You might be surprised to know that senior Bill Shirk enters the 2010 season ranked eighth on Millersville's all-time passing list and is first among active PSAC quarterbacks in passing yards. Quietly, Shirk has put together two solid seasons as quarterback of the Marauders. Now, as a third-year starter, he has the opportunity to leave his own mark on the program's history and return it to prominence.
Long-time offensive coordinator Brad Mangle has coached several outstanding quarterbacks in his 20 years at Millersville including former Harlon Hill finalist and now Kutztown offensive coordinator Drew Folmar. Bill Shirk is one of only a handful of three-starters that Mangle has coached. Only four quarterbacks in program's 120-year history--Folmar, Greg Moylan, Chris Fagan and Dan Csencsitz--threw for more yards in their first two seasons than Shirk.
“If we can protect him, I see Bill having a great year,” said head coach Greg Colby. “He's comfortable with the reads. He's a great leader. He is establishing a relationship with the young receivers, and of course Jamal (Smith) will always be his No. 1 target and rightfully so. We have to keep him healthy, though.”
Shirk took a beating in 2009 (he was sacked 36 times), and his numbers took a hit as a result. He still threw more touchdowns than interceptions and completed over 50 percent of his passes for the second-straight year. He has nine 200-yard passing games to his credit, and with his three leading wide receivers returning, Shirk could produce a memorable season.
He certainly has the weapons around him. Jamal Smith was All-PSAC East Second Team with 50 catches and 10 receiving touchdowns in 2009. Matt Egenrieder is entering his third year as the team's slot receiver. Coaches have continually raved about the ability of redshirt freshman Dominic Sanders, and the addition of Mike Jones to the running game should take some pressure off of Shirk's shoulders.
“I would think our passing attack will be a bigger and more effective part of what we do,” said Colby. We are still going to run the ball and be balanced. But we are confident in our quarterback and wide receivers. How much will our effectiveness change our overall approach? I'm not sure. We have always said we need to be physical and run the ball. We have to control it and have a good mix. But I do expect Bill to have an outstanding season.”
With a re-emphasis on the passing game, a 2,000 yard season is hardly out of reach. He threw for over 1,700 yards each of the last two seasons with a young receiving corps. Already with 3,619 yards and 27 touchdowns passes in 20 career starts, his career totals would put him in elite company and in the top five of Millersville's all-time passing leaders.
More valuable than his passing ability, though, is his unquestioned toughness and leadership on the field. Already with four years in Mangle's system, Shirk provides the Marauders with another coach on the field.
Shirk played much of the 2009 season at less than 100 percent, and the Marauders understand the importance of a back-up. The team enters camp with junior Kevin Fowle as the No. 2. Fowle understands the offense but has appeared in just four games and has never attempted a pass.
Colby has also been pleased with the move of senior Thomas Wilmer from safety to quarterback. Wilmer, an excellent athlete and high school quarterback, was unable to stick on defense so the coaches, recognizing a lack of depth at quarterback, asked to return to his original position. Colby believes that the staff may utilize Wilmer's athleticism by using him in certain offensive packages.
“His throwing mechanics need some work, but he has a knack for running the ball,” said Colby. “We could put him in a game and have a running threat at the position. He'll improve his throwing as he gets more reps, and he'll be a very adequate back-up. We've been pleased with that moved.”
In an effort to put the ball in Smith's hands more, the staff installed several "Wildcat" packages in 2009, and it was successful. Smith rushed for nearly 100 yards in a small number of snaps behind center. Mangle stated that the packages have expanded, and that Smith will likely see more time taking snaps running the zone-read option or even throwing the ball.
The Marauders also have three freshmen quarterbacks in camp. Brady Knerr ranks second in career passing touchdowns at Emmaus High School. Mike Reichenbach, a Calvary Christian Academy product, has the prototypical quarterback size, quarterbacked an outstanding team and was named All-Bicentennial League as a senior. Ryan Neilsen also looks the part at 6-3 and comes from an outstanding Central Dauphin program.
Position Group Preview Schedule
Aug. 23 - Offensive Line and Tight Ends
Aug. 24 - Wide Receivers
Aug. 25 - Running Backs
Monday, January 19
Saturday, November 15
Saturday, October 04
Saturday, September 27
