Stidham, Avent make two-QB system work for East Webster

East Webster’s dual-quarterback system isn’t merely working – it’s thriving.

Senior Cooper Stidham and sophomore Kross Avent have found the kind of symbiosis that often eludes such quarterback pairings. As the old axiom goes, “If you have two quarterbacks, you don’t have a quarterback.” East Webster prefers a different principle: There’s an exception to every rule.

“In a lot of situations it wouldn’t work,” head coach Ron Price said, “but the two kids, they’re both winners, they’re both competitive, and they both cheer for each other, and at the end of the day they just want East Webster to be successful, and I’m thankful they’ve had the seasons that both of them have had.”

Stidham and Avent have had nearly identical seasons, numbers-wise. Stidham has completed 81 of 124 passes for 1,348 yards, 17 touchdowns and four interceptions; Avent is 79 of 121 for 1,517 yards, 18 TDs and two picks.

They are, however, very different players. Stidham, who was the starter last season, is a football junkie who puts in extra work in order to maximize his tools. Avent is a more naturally gifted player, and he’s benefited greatly from Stidham’s example.

“He prepares himself in the film room, he stays after practice, throws the ball extra on his own time,” Price said of Stidham. “So he has shown Kross what it takes; he’s set a really good example for Kross. Kross has God-given talent; God’s been really good to Kross. He throws the football as well as any kid that I’ve coached in my career.”

Price decided to employ the two-QB system following a season-opening 14-0 loss to Choctaw County. The Wolverines (12-1), who host Kemper County on Friday in the Class 2A North final, haven’t lost since. During this win streak, East Webster is averaging 373.7 total yards per game, including 237.8 through the air.

In last week’s 61-40 win over three-time defending North champion Charleston, Stidham and Avent threw for a combined 415 yards and six touchdowns.

The two normally alternate series, and there has been no drop-off for the Wolverines regardless of who’s taking snaps.

“When one’s in the game and the other one’s on the sideline, they’re watching, and when they come off the field they’re coaching each other, they’re helping each other,” Price said. “The good thing is, both of them have had success. After a successful drive, whoever’s turn it is to go in next doesn’t want to let the team down, so the pressure’s there for them to go out and to execute and to make something positive happen.”

The 61 points scored Friday marked the eighth time this season East Webster has surpassed 40 points in a game, and they’ve averaged 44.6 points since the Choctaw County loss. With a win over Kemper County (7-6) – a team they beat 49-20 in the regular season – the Wolverines can reach their first championship game in 10 years.

With Stidham and Avent leading the offense, Price feels good about his team’s chances.

“All the success that we’ve had leading up to this game, it’s not going to matter if we don’t take care of our business Friday night,” he said. “Zero-to-zero at 7 o’clock Friday night, East Webster needs their best performance of the season. Our ultimate goal this year is to be able to play for the state championship. We’re 48 minutes away from being able to do that. Let’s go out and make plays Friday night and try to find a way to be 1-0 this week and make our dreams come true.”