By Sarah Loogman
It’s all in the family when it comes to football for the Pehle-Munson twins. Taylor and Jordan, seniors at Etna High School, follow a family legacy as the fourth and fifth brothers of their family to play Lions’ football. With Jordan as the starting varsity quarterback and Taylor as a hard-hitting outside linebacker, the two make an impressive pair on Friday night’s field.
“Sometimes it gets a little frustrating,” admits Jordan to playing on-field with his twin. “But the good thing about it is that we kind of know how each other are thinking.”
“I guess we kind of have that twin connection thing,” said Taylor.
Football and family have always been in sync for these brothers. Starting in grade school, Taylor and Jordan share memories of backyard football with older brothers Jared, Kyle, and Ryan. But the fun isn’t limited to just football. A big time hobby revolves a lot around hunting and fishing, too.
“Pretty much just anything outdoors,” said Taylor. “That and picking on each other.”
The twins are also both heavily involved in the FFA program, Jordan as president and Taylor as treasurer, and they both show projects at the Siskiyou Golden Fair each summer. In the spring time, they play baseball, and both are also previous members of the EHS Ski and Board team. As far as school, both favor math to any subject and maintain a GPA in the mid 3-point range.
But in case you’ve started to think that they’re one in the same, look again ‘cause these boys are certainly their own individual.
When it comes to their biggest difference, both agree that it’s in the way they think.
“I’m more of the problem solver,” said Taylor.
On the other hand, Jordan says, “I’m more of the ‘my way or nothing.’”
As far as their future plans go, Taylor plans to major in Ag Systems Management and hopes to attend Cal Poly San Luis Obispo next fall. Jordan remains undecided, but both agree that they’d undoubtedly like to return to the Valley someday.
When it comes to favorite high school memories, Taylor’s highlight was pitching in the baseball playoff semi-finals at Quincy in his sophomore year. Jordan puts it a little more simply,
“Passing Honors English last year,” he said.
As mentioned, family is a big part of what these twins care most about and proves to be so in their list of heroes.
“I really look up to my oldest brother Kyle,” said Taylor, “He’s a good role model, he always tries to do the right thing, and he’s a great person even though he hasn’t been dealt the greatest hand.”
“My Uncle Hap,” said Jordan. “He always tells us how to do things right and what we’ve done wrong and has always been there to help and support us through sports and everything.”
As Taylor puts it, “Life gives to the giver and takes from the taker.” So if you happen to be in the stands on a Friday night at Etna High, you’ll be sure to notice what it is that this power of two gives to their team. But beyond that, these brothers give to their school, community, and most of all, to their family.
Siskiyou Youth contributor Sarah Loogman is a senior at Etna High School, where she excels at volleyball, basketball, and track. Loogman holds the SCL record for the pole vault, and is the defending champion (10’).
