The relationship between a quarterback and a receiver is special. They must be on the same page, capable of communicating silently and anticipating each other鈥檚 movements. A quick nod at the line of scrimmage can change a game.
At Walden Grove, a quarterback and receiver are especially close. Alex and Jordan Lopez are fraternal twin brothers who have the Red Wolves off to a sizzling start. Walden Grove is 5-2 heading into Friday鈥檚 game against Pueblo.
鈥淭hey certainly have a connection,鈥 Walden Grove coach Corey Noble said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 funny: You know, there鈥檚 a lot of times where you can tell that they just kind of know what the other one鈥檚 thinking or going to do without even having to communicate.鈥
鈥淭hey definitely work really, really well together.鈥
Alex Lopez ranks eighth among Class 4A players in total yards (1,564 yards) and 10th in passing (1,081 yards). Jordan鈥檚 466 receiving yards rank 12th among 4A players. And save the 鈥淧arent Trap鈥 jokes 鈥 Noble is a twin himself, something that gives him extra insight into his two star players.
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Alex and Jordan started playing football at a young age. They鈥檝e always played the same position 鈥 Alex at quarterback and Jordan at wide receiver.
Jordan is listed at 6 feet 1 inch, making him a full inch taller than his brother. The two weigh the same 鈥 190 pounds.
鈥淭hey definitely work really, really well together,鈥 Walden Grove coach Corey Noble says of Alex, left, and Jordan Lopez.
Both were promoted to varsity last year, but didn鈥檛 see much action. Alex completed 4 of 5 passes for 70 yards and a touchdown as the backup quarterback, and Jordan caught 12 balls for 209 yards and four scores while dealing with a broken hand.
Both players worked hard on their durability during the offseason. They each added 25 pounds to prepare for their junior season.
鈥淲e knew we had to get bigger in order to go to college and, this year, to take up the beating we were going to take,鈥 Alex Lopez said. 鈥淲e had to get bigger and stronger.鈥
The brothers鈥 connection 鈥 twintuition? 鈥 is strengthened by the fact that they do just about everything together. Alex and Jordan have no other siblings. When their mom makes a quick trip to the store, they both go.
鈥淲e鈥檙e barely apart from each other,鈥 Alex said.
While the twins are still very much focused on this season and are hoping to make a run through the playoffs, they鈥檙e also looking ahead. Both want to play in college, and there鈥檚 a strong possibility they鈥檒l end up at different schools.
鈥淪ay we do get the same college offer, it鈥檚 going to be nice to play (together), but if we have multiple ones, then we鈥檙e going to whichever one gives us the best (offer),鈥 Jordan said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e going for our future. That鈥檚 what counts.鈥
Alex and Jordan still have the rest of this season and their entire senior year ahead of them. The future, for now, can wait.
鈥淚鈥檝e said to multiple people, it鈥檚 the greatest thing on earth to play with your brother,鈥 Jordan said.
鈥淭o always have him on your side and every play you look at him and think, 鈥楾hat鈥檚 my brother.鈥欌
Contact reporter Norma Gonzalez at 520-262-3265 or ngonzalez@tucson.com.
Norma Gonzalez
Sports reporter
