Family Forces: For Highland Players, Football Gives New Meaning To Brotherhood

Many football teams may claim that they are “family.”  But for Highland, football really is family.

With eight sets of siblings on the team, Highland football represents what it means to be “brothers” both on and off the field.  Not only are there eight real siblings on the team, but the team as a whole is so close that it is like a family.

“We all feel like brothers on the team,” senior quarterback John Hunter said.

Leading the charge are brothers Thomas Pembroke and James Pembroke.  Thomas, a senior and the current president of HAM, is an extremely versatile player, able to play almost every position.  From fullback to safety, No. 20 is rarely off the field.  James, a sophomore and hardworking student, plays QB and also halfback.  James is having an excellent season, with his varsity playing time increasing exponentially from last year.

“The Pembroke brothers are playing great together,” Hunter said.

These two brothers have set the bar high for the Rams, with standout games all throughout this season.  Both have been named “Player of the Game” on multiple occasions, and with the help of Hunter, helped lead the Rams to their first victory over East in three years.  Together, they have combined for over 800 rushing yards and 9 touchdowns.  With two more games left in the regular season, these brothers, and this team as a whole, have what it takes to make a deep run into the playoffs.

Although playing or competing with a sibling may sound like a weird thing to most people, for the Pembrokes it is not an issue at all.  Since the beginning of last year, these brothers have shared a team and have been just fine.

“It’s nothing really too different,” James said regarding playing with his brother.  “[Thomas] is one of the best football players I know, one of the best football players in the state.  It’s a good feeling knowing that I can give [the ball] to him and it is going to be safe.”

Having this sense of security in teammates is important while playing football because it takes the whole team to win the game, not just one player.  By being so close with each other and the team it has allowed the Pembrokes to excel on the field.

Not only are the Pembrokes close on the field, they are close off the field as well.  From hanging out with friends, getting food together and playing Super Smash Bros, these two are almost inseparable.

“We drive everywhere together.  I’m probably in the car with James 90 percent of the time,” Thomas said.

This closeness was on display at Homecoming with the widely talked about “dance battle.”  The two brothers met at the dance and battled it out in a ring of onlookers.  Described by senior Mac Wilson as “a legend that will go down in Highland history,” this “battle” showed the friendly competition and rivalry between these two brothers.  From the dance floor to the virtual concerts of “Guitar Hero” to the football field, these brothers are always trying to best one another, and push each other to the limit.

However this friendly rivalry has not always been that friendly.  Like most siblings, James and Thomas have not always been this close and peaceful.

“We would fight almost every day for the Xbox,” James said.  “We [also] get mad at each other for little things like me having to wake him up every morning.”

But, through the childhood fights and internal competition, they have become very tight knit.

“I feel like our family is just overall happy being able to see two of their sons play in the game, and just play together, even though all those years of like conflict at home,”  Thomas said.

Through football, these brothers have overcome their differences and become devoted brothers and teammates, only now disagreeing over minor things.

“For years I’ve been watching James and his team play together and it’s just a dream come true for them to finally play with me,” Thomas said.

However, this on field relationship has been put temporarily on hold, with both of the brothers suffering slight MCL tears.  Thomas suffered a grade two tear (the higher the number the more serious the injury) in the game against Clearfield.  Originally not supposed to play offence at all in the Skyline game, Thomas came in in overtime and scored the game winning touchdown.  However, James suffered a grade one tear in this same game and had to sit out the Cyprus game.

“It doesn’t look like James’ injury is as severe as mine,” Thomas said.  “He’s recovering really quickly from it and he looks like he’ll be going pretty soon.”

Now, with the Rams vying for a top playoff spot and potential region championship, it is critical these brothers come together and help the Rams achieve victory.