Faulkenberry brothers made impact for Gentry

— Jake and Stone Faulkenberry have formed a nice receiving tandem for Gentry this season, but the brothers took sharing to a different level when Gentry went up against Ozark.

Sophomore Jake Faulkenberry took the opening kickoff, broke a few tackles and returned it to near midfi eld. An Ozark defender hit Jake’s arm and knocked the ball into the air. However, big brother Stone was right there to grab the ball and cover the remaining 45yards for the touchdown.

“That was a very big play in a big game,” Gentry coach Brian Little said.

The Pioneers went on to a 28-20 victory to clinch only their second playoff berth since 1998. Both brothers have come up with big plays throughout the season and they’ve had plenty of opportunity.

They each start at receiver, with Stone (6-0, 160) lining up on the outside and Jake (6-1, 165) as an inside receiver, with each playing a different role.

“They both have the ability to go deep,” Littlesaid. “Stone has made some big plays on deep balls for us this year. Jake is considered more of a possession-type receiver. Jake’s also one we like to get the ball to on the quick screens.

“Stone probably has a little better hands, a little faster, but there’s not a lot of difference. They are both athletic with a head for the game.”

Stone has a good lead on his brother in receiving yards, but his four catches against Ozark allowed him to pass his younger brother for the season.

“We both make bigplays,” Jake said. “We know where to fi nd the spaces and gaps in the defense and we know how to come back to the quarterback when Jarod needs help.”

The brothers agreed they have developed good chemistry with senior quarterback Jarod Cousins. But it doesn’t hurt that both have also played the position. Jake was the starting quarterback on the junior high team as a freshman and Stone started some at quarterback last year when Cousins was injured.

Little said it’s not certain which one or if either would play quarterback next year. But he acknowledged they would likely play the position some, even if it was as a backup.

Little calls them mirror images on defense as they man the cornerback spots for the Pioneers. Their stats definitely show that to be the case.

“They are both capable of covering the fi eld,” Little said. “They can play man and they also understand zone principals. They are also two of the better corners I’ve had at making open-fi eld tackles.”

Jake had 35 tackles, one more than his older brother before the regularseason finale. Stone has two interceptions compared to one for Jake. The younger Faulkenberry also has a sack and a fumble recovery.

The brothers are a little different when it comes to personality though, Little said.

“Stone’s a little quieter,” Little said. “He’s less likely to say something to somebody. Jake’s a little more vocal, extroverted. But their leadership has come from what they do on the fi eld.”

Sports, Pages 10 on 11/27/2013