Central Catholic senior, less than 3 years from stroke, would 'sell my soul for this team'

LAFAYETTE - It's senior picture day and Central Catholic's players were advised to bring props.

Typically that means football gear. Perhaps a sledge hammer or concrete block.

Then there's Zach Kerr, who exited the Knights locker room wearing his big smile and wielding a plate of pancakes and a bottle of syrup.

Kerr prefers waffles, but, being an offensive lineman, a stack of pancakes seemed fitting as pancake blocks are the only statistic that linemen can point to for measured success.

Football is a serious game, but it's supposed to be fun and no one has more fun playing football that Kerr.

"He keeps us from getting to anxious. He can cut up with the best of them," Central Catholic coach Brian Nay said. "He always has a smile on his face even if he’s just finished the most physical practice on Earth. Going through what he had to go through, he probably had to find a sense of humor through adversity and tough times. He keeps it light for sure."

What Kerr went through probably would've scared off most football players.

He was a starting left guard for Central Catholic's 2019 Class A state championship team as an undersized 5-foot-10, 200-pound freshman.

Four months after, he'd reside in a bed at Riley Hospital for Children in downtown Indianapolis, the victim of a stroke that sapped the left side of his body from any senses. It was diagnosed as granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), a rare autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in body tissues.

Come the next football season, Kerr was back on the football field, first as a kicker and eventually earning back a starting spot on the offensive line.

At the time, running back Baylor Smith recalls how Kerr's return inspired the Knights.

There's still setbacks, a byproduct of daily medications and an infusion every few months.

But mostly, Kerr's medical situation is a thing of the past.

Now, the real inspiration is watching Kerr's influence on the next generation of Central Catholic football players, using his gifted and unique persona.

"As a freshman, I wanted somebody to get to know me and be a bigger brother," Kerr said. "That’s how I see myself. If I can be a bigger brother for anybody on this team, I am game to do that. I will sell my soul for this team."

Until seventh grade, Kerr was a soccer player.

Once he found football, he never looked back.

And less than two years later, he was a guy Nay's staff couldn't keep off the field.

"As an eighth grader we knew when we saw him in camp that he was a guy who was going to get on the field early," Nay said. "He had a huge health setback. A stroke at that age is scary stuff. He spent the better part of two months at Riley. When he got back, he took everything in stride. In the last three years, he’s got himself ready to play varsity football.

"This has been his best year so far. He is probably our most physical lineman and really commands his side of the line."

Smith can appreciate Kerr's physical traits. For six seasons, he's been running behind Kerr and into the open field.

"Zach is the perfect lineman. He is big, strong. He knows what he is doing and has a lot of experience," Smith said. "Without Zach, it just isn’t going to work."

But seeing how Kerr relates to teammates off the playing field has been even more impressive.

"He is just different where everyone can get along with him. His personality works with really everyone," Smith added. "I’ve don’t think I’ve ever seen him be mean to anyone. Him being such a weirdo is perfect for him because everyone loves him."

While Kerr keeps Central Catholic football lighthearted, there is a an ultimate objective.

As a freshman, he helped lead a game-winning drive in the final minute of the state championship game. In the seasons since, Kerr and his senior classmates have been chasing that feeling again.

"I have memories of it like it was yesterday, but in a sense, it feels like an eternity ago," Kerr said of the 2019 season. "Those guys talked about it being a great way to cap off their senior year and I want to replicate that feeling."

Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at sking@jconline.com and follow him on Twitter and Instagram @samueltking.

Northwestern (1-1) at Central Catholic (1-1)

Time: 7 p.m.

Sagarin ratings: Northwestern 35.76, Central Catholic 55.8

Series history: Northwestern won the first two meetings in 1981 and '82, but Central Catholic has won all five meetings since 2015, including 42-0 last season.

About Northwestern: The Tigers average 31.5 points and allow 30 per game. ... Northwestern entered the season having not scored at least 30 points in 41 consecutive games before scoring 33 and 30 in its first two this season. ... The Tigers' only two victories since the start of the 2018 season are against Benton Central in 2018 and '20. ... Stat leaders - Passing: Brock Shank (17-45, 309 yards, 5 TD, 2 INT). ... Rushing: Cole Cardwell (58 car., 346 yards, 4 TD). ... Receiving: Connor Austin (7 rec., 130 yards, TD), Gabe Felix-Craig (3 rec., 93 yards, 2 TD). ... Tackles: Austin (18), Sam Craig (17). ... Kicking: Owen Peelle (6-6 PAT, 1-2 FG, long of 27).

About Central Catholic: The Knights average 27.5 points and allow 34 per game. ... Central Catholic is ranked 10th in the Class 2A Associated Press poll. ... The 47 points allowed to Guerin Catholic last week is the eighth time the Knights have allowed more than 40 since the start of the 2020 season. ... Stat leaders - Passing: Bobby Metzger (41-63, 371 yards, 5 TD, 2 INT). ... Rushing: Baylor Smith (42 car., 265 yards, 2 TD). ... Receiving: Evan Dienhart (24 rec., 216 yards, 3 TD). ... Tackles: Nick Page (16), Aiden Sattler (16), Brinn Robbins (16). ... Interceptions: Robbins (1). ... Kicking: Thomas Henry (7-7 PAT, 2-2 FG, long of 27).

Coach Nay's take: "Coach (Rob) Patchett is very well respected. He has spent time in really solid programs and has a wealth of knowledge. We knew it was a matter of time after seeing him get that job last year before he got that thing heading in the right direction. It pops on film. They are a different team this year. He’s got them playing fast and physical and the things he does schematically are very sound. We have to show up on Friday or it’s going to be the start of a losing streak."

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Lafayette Central Catholic's Zach Kerr would 'sell my soul' for team