ROGERS -- Roberto and Josh Palacios approach football with the same strong work ethic, but that might be where the similarities end for the twin brothers.
Roberto, a two-year starter at receiver, looks at the game more analytically, while Josh, a two-year starter at safety, is more aggressive.
Web Watch
For more on the Palacios twins and the impact they have on the Rogers Heritage football team, see the video produced by the Rogers Heritage video department at arpreps.com
Today’s Matchup
Bentonville High at Rogers Heritage
Gates Stadium
KICKOFF 7 p.m.
RECORDS Bentonville 6-2, 4-1; Heritage 1-7, 1-4.
ON THE AIR Bentonville — KFMD-FM 101.5; Heritage KHEL-FM 97.3.
BETWEEN THE LINES Bentonville has won each of the eight previous meetings, incuding a 49-6 decision at home last year. … The Tigers rolled to a 49-7 victory last week over Rogers High as Canaan Ross threw for 244 yards and four touchdown and Kam’ron Mays-Hunt caught six passes for 160 yards and three scores. … Bentonville’s defense held Rogers to 128 yards total offense. … Heritage broke an 18-game losing skid last week with its 28-18 victory at home over Bentonville West. … War Eagles running back Dylan Qualls is currently fourth in the conference in rushing with 738 yards, less than 40 behind league leader Walter Green of Van Buren. … Heritage QB Trey Kitterman just surpassed 1,000 yards passing in last week’s victory.
PLAYERS TO WATCH Bentonville, QB Canaan Ross (Sr., 6-1, 210), WR Kam’Ron Mays-Hunt (Jr., 6-1, 170), RB Jacob Clark (Sr., 5-11, 195), LB Destyn Adkins (Sr., 6-1, 190) DB Aaron Estrada (Sr., 5-10, 175); Heritage, QB Trey Kitterman (Jr., 6-1, 226), DB Tae Dixon (Sr., 5-10, 160), OL Jerry Pollock (Sr., 6-1, 274), RB Dylan Qualls (Jr., 6-0, 191), WR Roberto Palacios (Sr., 6-0, 187).
HOOTEN’S RANKINGS Bentonville is No. 4 in Class 7A; Heritage is No. 16.
HOOTEN’S LINE Bentonville by 16.
OUR TAKE Bentonville 35, Heritage 14. Henry Apple • @NWAHenry
For more information on Josh and Roberto Palacios, visit arpreps.com and see the video produced by Joseline Lopez and Kelsie Chloe of Roger Heritage High School.
Rogers Heritage coach Tony Travis joked he has trouble telling the duo apart at times.
"I'm glad we have numbers in football, because I'm not sure I could tell them apart otherwise," Travis said with a laugh. "Roberto's hair is a little longer. That's usually how I tell."
Roberto is actually about an inch or so taller, while Josh is roughly 10 pounds heavier. But they also play on different sides of the ball. That has something to do with their approach to the game, Travis said.
"With Roberto, it's his attention to detail that makes him so good," Travis said. "He's going to work on something until he gets it just perfect."
That showed up in a big way last week when he noticed how his defender was playing and alerted Travis to the fact he could beat him. The result was a 74-yard touchdown catch for Roberto and a lead for the War Eagles against Bentonville West.
"He was saying 'I think I can get behind him coach,'" Travis said. "It's a good feeling when you players can tell you something like that. There's a trust factor there and there's also a factor of him understanding the offense better and getting more comfortable."
Travis said he did the same thing earlier this season against crosstown rival Rogers High and it again resulted in a touchdown.
Roberto, at 6-foot-1, 185 pounds, leads Heritage with 27 receptions for 383 yards (14.2 yards per catch) and four touchdowns.
Josh (6-0, 195) has been equally impressive on defense, making 44 tackles (34 solos) to go with two interceptions and four pass break-ups. Playing defense has something to do with Josh's more aggressive attitude, Travis said.
"He's stronger than his brother from a weight room aspect," Travis said. "He's a hard hitter and just solid as can be. They are definitely two of my favorite kids I've ever coached. They are as solid as you can be when it comes to work ethic and character.
"And they're good football players. That's a bonus. They are good leaders and good kids."
The brothers were born in Los Angeles, but moved to Northwest Arkansas when they were seven. They came to Rogers at age nine, where they developed a love for football playing in the backyard with friends after church.
"We ran into a lot of fences," Roberto said.
They didn't get into organized football until seventh grade.
With seven other siblings, the twins credited their parents with instilling a strong work ethic in them.
They have used that same tenacity to become two of Heritage's top players and have put themselves in position to be able to play football in college.
Both agreed football and more specifically the coaches at Heritage have helped them to grow on and off the football field.
"It's not only helped us physically, but mentally, too," Josh said. "They have done a great job getting points across about having integrity and discipline," Josh said.
Roberto said the game and coaches have helped him have more self-confidence.
"I didn't necessarily believe in myself as much," Roberto said.
Friday's win, Heritage's first this season, will be memorable for the twins. However, Roberto said he will recall the game because of how his brother set the stage for his touchdown catch. Three plays before Roberto's catch, Josh intercepted a pass in the War Eagles' end zone to give them the ball back.
"It's like he set that up for me," Roberto said. "That's something I'll always remember."
Josh said he will remember the work he put in with his brother and the rest of his teammates.
"For me, it's more about the brotherhood and being with my teammates, that's what's big for me," Josh said.
They are also hoping to continue to play together in college next year. Getting the chance to make more memories together on and off the football field.
Sports on 10/28/2016