The term “dual threat” quarterback describes an athlete who can run as well as pass.

That does not define the term at Palmerton this year.

The Blue Bombers’ version of dual threat is quarterback TJ Weller, along with another signal-caller T.K. Gursky. The two are both listed as starters because most of the time they rotate into the game on every offensive series.

“We had a quarterback competition in the off season,” said Palmerton head coach Chris Walkowiak. “We gave them each an amount of repetitions, and we found out that they both were equally good at running our offense, so we made the decision to play them both.”

The coaching staff figured that Weller or Gursky might take over the role with a better performance at some point, but through six games this season, that has yet to happen.

In fact, the statistics prove just how equal they have been so far.

Through the first six games, Weller has completed 31 passes out of 53 attempts for 300 yards and a touchdown, while Gursky is 31-of-57 for 362 yards and 5 TDs.

“They are young and learning. We ask them to manage the game,” said Walkowiak. “Of course, they are going through growing pains, but that is to be expected. Sometimes they might have some trouble reading coverages or forcing their passes, but they are very smart and very capable for what we are asking them to do.

“It’s not always that they alternate every series. If one gets the hot hand throwing the ball or making better decisions, we’ll keep him in. Sometimes we might start a game with one over the other because he had a better week at practice, but that’s a staff decision and it doesn’t mean the one who starts will be the one who finishes. They both are prepared and ready for the call.”

Weller played the entire game at Pen Argyl, while Gursky played all but a series against Northern Lehigh. The other four games, they have both split time.

Walkowiak mentioned that there are other benefits to playing both quarterbacks.

“They coach each other up and push each other to do well when they rotate in and out, and they understand that if both have the job, then no one has the job until, or if, one starts to play head and shoulders above the other.”

The rest of the team have accepted the decision to flip the switch with Weller and Gursky.

“We have an experienced offensive line and solid running backs and receivers, so there have been no problems with running our spread offense with TJ or T.K.”

Walkowiak said what they are doing might not be considered ideal according to the customary role of one starting QB.

“It hasn’t hurt us, so we’ll keep going with it for now.”

In talks with Weller and Gursky, Walkowiak told them they are making each other better, and they shouldn’t be looking over each other’s shoulder.

“I tell them to just go out and play football.”

The quarterback situation at Palmerton is not unique.

Last year at Lehigh University, the Mountain Hawks rotated former Palmerton star QB Matt Machalik with another Pennsylvania graduate, Hayden Johnson. That “dual threat” helped Lehigh to an outstanding season in which it advanced to the Division 1 Football Subdivision National Championship semifinals.

At Palmerton, the good news is that Weller and Gursky are gaining invaluable experience playing one of the most important positions on the field.

“They are not just learning about the game of football,” said Walowiak. “They are also being taught lessons about how important working together is in life.”