The Pirates had high expectations going into their Week 1 game against Columbia Hickman after coming off a successful season where they advanced all the way to the state championship game, and senior quarterback Andre Webb came into the game with the best mindset possible.

“I was cool and collected throughout the game,” Webb said. “I knew there was  a lot of pressure but I was in a comfortable situation.”

Students and fans had big question marks about the team this year as the Pirates had lost a number of All-State players and game changers that helped the Pirates get to Faurot Field on the campus of University of Missouri – Columbia in a title game showdown against Staley High School.

During his junior season for the football team, Webb was named the No. 2 QB on the depth chart behind last year’s 4-year starter and All-State quarterback Kaleb Eleby. Because of Eleby’s success with the offense, Webb was given the opportunity to be the kick returner on special teams instead.

At the end of last season, there were some rumors about who would take over at quarterback – a position that was held by the same player for the past 4 seasons. There were some that thought the new signal caller would not be Webb, but after a series of summer practices and workouts, Webb was named the starting quarterback on the roster.

Now it’s his turn to lead the team.

Webb might have the most pressure on his shoulders trying to replace a player from last season because Eleby who signed with Western Michigan was the only player from the Class of 2018 to go to a Division I school. Webb knew he had big shoes to fill and was comfortable going into Week 1.

A first start can be nerve-wracking for any quarterback but Webb looked at the scenario as any other game situation he has been in.

“ No, I wasn’t nervous about my first start,” he said. ” I was just very excited and ready to go to war with my brothers.”

Though the Pirates lost their season opener, Webb hopes to build off this new experience and fulfill his role on offense as the leader.

Webb has natural leadership skills as he is a two-sport athlete who plays for the football and basketball team and happens to be successful on both the field and the court. During the winter season, he is the starting point guard for the varsity basketball team.

Last year during the basketball season, Webb was initially given a spot on the varsity roster, but some roster changes were made and he was demoted down to the JV squad a month after tryouts took place. Due to his success being dominant on JV and because a number of seniors decided to leave the team, Webb finally got his chance to perform at the highest level. By the end of the season, he was a starter for the varsity team.

So in Week 1, the Pirates lost to the Kewpies on a field goal as time expired. But if anyone knows how to bounce back and to earn his spot on a team, it’s Webb.

He is the future of this football team and will take another shot to get a win when the team travels to Wentzville Holt on Aug. 31 with the kickoff at 7 p.m.