They've competed against each other their whole lives. But on Friday nights, the Klopfenstein brothers are united, leading the Horizon Huskies to football wins.
James Klopfenstein, a 6-foot, 187-pound senior, can play any skill position on offense, even quarterback at times. Sam Klopfenstein, a 6-2, 192-pound junior, can be found at several positions on defense, from outside linebacker to safety, for the 4-0 Huskies.
"It's kind of trial by error," coach Tyson Ditmore said, about using James at quarterback, receiver and running back two weeks ago in a 35-3 win over Glendale Cactus. "We had a few things operationally. We know we want to run the football, but we have to keep the defenses honest."
The Klopfensteins aren't the only ones fueling 5A Horizon's
strong early start.
It doesn't seem to matter how opponents try to stop the run; there has been no answer for sophomore tailback Dylan Brush, who, last week, in a 55-36 win over Phoenix Sunnyslope, ran for 407 yards and six touchdowns on 23 carries.
Brush, 5-foot-11, 187 pounds, has amassed 945 yards and 17 touchdowns rushing through the first four games.
Brush was recently offered by Washington, but Georgia, Nebraska, Michigan and Arizona State are also interested. Brush's speed separates him from most. He has competed in decathlons and is one of the state's top sprinters. His father Lee played strong safety for four years at Purdue.
"I've been doing track since the third grade," Brush said. "I've really been locked into it the past three years. I did a decathlon. I ran 10.86 in the 100 (meters). And 22.0-something in the 200. The javelin. It's been really good."
Ditmore is grateful to have Brush with the ball in his hands. But he knows the heart and soul of this team starts with the Klopfensteins. Their older brother Matthew starred at tight end at Horizon and now starts at Baylor.
"They're great football kids," Ditmore said. "An awesome family. We're very blessed to have them."
Sam has an offer from Northern Arizona. At the next level, he will likely play safety or linebacker. James has been trying to recruit his brother to the offensive side.
"I'm just grateful that they trust me with the ball, trust me that I'll get it done," James said.
James played quarterback his freshman year at Horizon. He completed 1 of 2 passes in his appearance at quarterback against Cactus Sept. 10. This season, he has run the ball 14 times for 114 yards and two TDs and has caught nine passes for 81 yards and a score.
He embraces going up against his brother in practice.
"It's very competitive," James said. "It's awesome lining up against him, brother on brother. We grew up kind of like that. He chose defense and I chose offense. I'm still trying to get him at tight end, trying to transform him. But he's a heck of an athlete."
Sam said he likes playing down in the box on defense. As a safety who moves around, he's a playmaker. He has 28 tackles, five for losses, three interceptions and a forced fumble.
"Really, I'll play anywhere where I can make an impact," he said.
Sam said different sides of the ball with his brother increases the competition with his brother.
"It's fun," Sam said. "It makes it more fun for me and for him. We've been doing it since we were little kids and we're doing it now in high school, continuing on. Outside of the field, we don't say much. But on the field, we turn it up."
Richard Obert has been covering high school sports since the 1980s for The Arizona Republic. Catch the best high school sports coverage in the state. Sign up for Azcentral Preps Now. And be sure to subscribe to our daily sports newsletters so you don't miss a thing. To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at richard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-316-8827. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter:@azc_obert
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Horizon football's fast start fueled by Klopfenstein brothers, Brush
