South Gibson's Nolan Stidham stepping into starting role on father's team
MEDINA – When the 2017 football season ended for South Gibson, head coach Scott Stidham and his staff had to think about replacing 20 seniors who had help build up the program to a high level.
Included in those 20 graduating seniors was quarterback Dustin Moore, a three-year starter.
Stidham didn't have to look far to find that replacement through. Scott's son Nolan Stidham worked through the offseason to take over the reigns as the starting quarterback.
“Being the coach’s son can be tough at times, but I have great teammates that have helped me a lot,” Nolan Stidham said. “He expects a lot out of me, and I like that. It makes you want to get better.”
Nolan Stidham is no stranger to the South Gibson football team.
“Nolan has been walking the sidelines at South Gibson football games since the beginning of the program,” said Scott Stidham. “So he knew a lot about our strategy and game plan coming into this season.”
Nolan believes that the fact that this year’s team is very close on and off the field has helped them in developing team chemistry and aided in their on-field improvement each week.
One characteristic that a good quarterback has to possess is good leadership skills. With Nolan Stidham starting his junior season, he is working to gain that quality.
“I know he (Coach Stidham) expects a lot out of me and wants me to be a good leader by being more vocal with the guys,” said Nolan. “It’s good I like being pushed to be a better leader.”
Scott Stidham’s expectations for his son and the rest of the team are to take each game one week at a time and get better each week.
“I feel that Nolan has improved each week, as well as the rest of the team, and if we keep working hard, we can be a good football team by the end of the season,” Scott Stidham said.
South Gibson (2-1) started the season off with a 19-14 loss to Lexington, but the Hornets have won their last two games (20-14 at Franklin Road Academy and 29-27 over Bolivar Central)t.
It is not always easy being the coach’s son and it can also be difficult at times coaching your own child.
“I know this, it is tough coaching your own kids,” Scott Stidham said. “There are hard days to coach your kid, but I am going to enjoy it every minute of it and help him get better along the way.”