No one prouder of Qualls than his former coach

The town of Petaluma cheered with joy this past weekend as the Philadelphia Eagles, in the sixth round of the 2017 NFL draft, picked former Casa Grande High School superstar Elijah Qualls.

He was the fifth Husky to be drafted, the most since 2017. Qualls, the University of Washington’s 6-foot-2, 293-pound defensive tackle, wrapped up his third year with the Huskies, where, despite an ankle injury causing him to miss three games, he was named First-Team All-Conference. He finished his career with 77 tackles and 7.5 sacks.

His talent and determination helped Washington win the Pac-12 Championship, resulting in Washington’s selection as one of the four teams in the College Playoff Games where they played in the Peach Bowl. The team’s success brought Qualls into the national limelight.

While at Casa Grande in his final two years, Qualls ran for more than 1,800 yards and scored 23 touchdowns.

Former head coach Trent Herzog was with Elijah this past weekend, watching the NFL draft on television and waiting on the call that would eventually come. Saturday, they were at Elijah’s apartment. There were only a few close family and friends who were there to receive the magnificent news together.

Herzog shared, “It was very emotional for all of us, knowing that he (Elijah) had made his ultimate dream in the NFL. It was a great experience to be with him on the biggest day of his life. I was so happy and so proud of him.”

The coach knew in his gut that Qualls by his junior year in high school had the God-given talent to make it in the NFL. But it wasn’t until Qualls’ sophomore year in college that Herzog realized that it would actually happen. He based this on what analysts, coaches and scouts were saying about Qualls.

Two days after he was drafted by the Eagles, Qualls was still very excited.

“Now, I am even more determined to become a better player since I know I will be with the best of the best,” he said.

After reaching his goal of being drafted into the NFL, his new goal is to be one of the greatest to ever play his position in the game of football.

Qualls will be moving to Philadelphia in early June. He is enthusiastic about the Eagles, stating they are “a great team and great organization with an amazing fan base.”

However, Petaluma will always hold a special place in his heart. “I get calls and texts regularly from my people back in Petaluma,” he said. They will always play a major role for Qualls, especially his beloved high school coach - Trent Herzog. The polayer said, “Trent is always around to help me.”

All of Petaluma is proud of its hometown hero; however, none could be prouder than his former coach.

“I’m proud of Elijah accomplishing the things he has over the last seven years: moving to Petaluma; graduating high school; receiving a full scholarship to the University of Washington; making a 3.0 in college; leading his team to the College Football Playoff; being named an All-Pac-12 first-team; being selected an All-American; and being drafted in the NFL by the Philadelphia Eagles,” Herzog said. “But I’m most proud watching the boy I met seven years ago transform into the man he has become today.”

Qualls will always be remembered in Petaluma for his achievements on the Casa Grande football field. He will forever have a home in this North Bay town.

(Jadon Bosarge is a sophomore and quarterback for the Casa Grande football team. Jaret Bosare is a sixth-grader at Corona Creek Elementary School who plays fullback and cornerback for the Petaluma Panthers youth football team.)