PHARR — Twins Damian and Aleksander Gomez have played football together since they were 4 years old. Damian, the signal-caller of the offense at quarterback, Aleksander, the force at linebacker on the defensive side.
Now, the two seniors standing at 6 feet tall are playing their final year of high school ball together at Valley View, where they’re leading the Tigers (2-2) on both sides of the ball once again.
But last Friday night against Donna North, the twins did something they had never done before in an actual game — they connected on a throw and catch for a touchdown.
“It was a slant, I saw Alek and he was in the end zone with his big body, and I’ve never thrown a touchdown to him in our high school career, so it was something special for me and him,” Damian Gomez said. “He’s just another athlete that we can use all over the field.”
Alek said he saw an opening in the defense and his brother delivered a perfectly placed strike for six.
“I knew going into the game that the corner was playing a little off, I did my thing and Damian put it right on the money,” Alek Gomez said. “It’s great to finally be under the Friday night lights and hear ‘Damian Gomez connects with Alek Gomez,’ It was amazing.”
Valley View head coach Eli Esquivel said it was a neat moment to see the two connect for a touchdown.
“It was fun. I love these kids, they’re having a good time and we’re utilizing what we got. It’s a team effort,” Esquivel said.
After falling twice to Port Isabel and Brownsville Rivera, the Tigers got back in the win column in Week 4 with a 24-6 victory over Donna North. Now, Valley View will be looking to build off its most recent win as it is set to begin District 16-5A DII play in Week 5 against Roma (0-4).
“Well, we’re 0-0, that’s what we think. District is a new season, so we’re going to take it week by week and start with Roma,” Damian Gomez said.
The program qualified for the playoffs for the first time in school history in 2018, and this group wants to make it two straight as Valley View hopes to continue to rewrite its history books.
Alek Gomez said the team is growing together and getting better with each practice and game.
“It’s a great bunch, an aggressive bunch, but we’re learning to play together, aggressive how it’s supposed to be,” he said.
The Gomez twins are a problem for the opposition on their respective sides of the ball. Damian has thrown for 430 yards, run for 250 and has six total touchdowns. Alek leads the Tigers with 56 tackles, three forced turnovers, and offensively, he has two scores on the year, one on the ground and the touchdown reception from his brother.
Now that they’re lining up together on offense, it should create headaches for defensive coordinators in 16-5A DII.
“I’ve said it since he was a sophomore, that kid’s a monster,” Damian said of his brother Alek. “Not just because he’s my twin, but because he shows it every Friday night. He’s playing everything — literally, defense, offense, special teams — he’s an animal.”
Kickoff between Valley View and Roma is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday at Gladiator Arena in Roma.