KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer
HARLINGEN —Brothers Cristian Cortez and David Cortez are two years apart and have played football their entire lives.
Although they have played the game their whole lives, the two have never played together on the same team: until now.
“Growing up we played on different teams, but I would always watch his games and he would watch mine,” Cristian said. “It is good to have him with me on the team, I know he has my back and I have his.”
For David, having his older brother around has helped him on the field. David is the lone sophomore on the varsity and has been turning some heads this season.
Growing up David has played multiple positions from quarterback to wide receiver and even played along the line.
“He (David) has earned the respect from the older guys on the team,” Cristian said. “He just continues to work and get better each day and as an older brother I’m proud of him. He is reliable on the field, the coaches know they can trust him and he carries his weight and everyone knows that.”
Their football career got a little more serious when David was in seventh grade and Cristian was a freshman. Both spent their off seasons in the weight room and off season conditioning.
“We really started to focus in on football those years and I think David got a leg up on everyone else by starting early and built a strong work ethic,” Cristian said.
Cristian is familiar with the Bird Bowl, while David is making his Bird Bowl debut. David just has a knack for the football. The sophomore leads the team in tackles with 45 and total tackles with 72.
“It means everything to me to have my big brother out there and having my back,” said David. “Both on the field and off it is great. I just listen to my coaches and what the older guys have to tell me. I learn from them and what they know and the coaches put me in the right spot to make plays.”
Heading into tonight’s game, the Cortez boys are focused on the task at hand and have blocked out all the outside noise.
“We have to go out there and play our game and make sure we do it at 100 miles per hour,” said Cristian. “We don’t get into all the hype that is something we leave to the fans and our parents we have been focused all week on the game.”