Brothers on and off the field

MITCH NODELMAN Reporter @MitchNodelman

Under the Saturday night lights at a Pierce College football game you may see the versatile and competitive Kanteman brothers making plays on both sides of the field.

The Simi Valley brothers, 21-year-old Trevor and 19-yearold Tanner, have been around the gridiron since the seventh grade and are now, finally, competing on the same Brahmas football team, but playing on different sides of the field.

“We were always around each other, but we were never on the same team,” Tanner said. “This is our first year playing together. We are blessed with the opportunity of playing on the same team.”

The brothers have a passionate competitiveness and tenacity that has head coach Jason Sabolic marveling about the presence they bring to the team.

“If my kids turn out to be like those kids, I would be a happy man,” Sabolic said. “Their passion is unparalleled. I don’t think there are very many kids on the team that would outwork either one of them.”

Trevor is a blocking and passcatching tight end on the offensive side of the ball. ball on me - it stings a little, but I know it’ll come back and get him the next play,” Tanner said.

Tanner is a hard-hitting and punt-drilling linebacker who is also the punter for the defensive and special teams.

Trevor said that Tanner has always played both sides of the ball, and has used his speed and physicality to convert over to linebacker.

Tanner said his brother has always been more of an offensive-minded person; playing quarterback in high school and having it translate over to the tight end position.

Despite the matchup and competitiveness, the brothers said they will always have each other’s undeniable support on and off the field.

“There is always competition in anything we do,” Tanner said. “We’re the only two brothers in our family. Whether it is pingpong or basketball there is always competition. Those matches mean a little bit more for bragging rights.”

The Brahmas played the Raiders twice in the regular season and tied both times, but the third time seemed to be the charm for Moorpark.

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“It definitely gets competitive,” Trevor said. “I don’t want him to beat me. I go as hard as I can against him compared to everybody else. I don’t want to go home knowing he beat me today.”

Tanner acknowledges that there is sibling rivalry that has brewed among the brothers. However, he is determined to not let his big brother beat him.

“If we go against each other and if he were to win, and catch a

“I love Tanner’s drive. Whenever he commits to something he goes 100 percent to it,” Trevor said. “I always feel like I’m lecturing him. I don’t want to. I just want him to be successful.”

“Our teammates have our back and everything, but brotherly bonds are a little more than that,” Tanner said.