Vincent twins sharing ‘awesome’ experience

CEDAR RAPIDS – Connor Vincent always has been bigger than his brother, Sam.

Cedar Rapids Washington has him listed at 6-foot-1 and 220 pounds. Sam is 5-11, 205.

The size difference is a bit unusual for twins, even if they are fraternal. But, believe it or not, it was significantly more pronounced just a couple of years ago.

'I used to be a lot taller than Sam,” Connor said.

He really means a lot taller.

'Like six or seven inches our freshmen year,” he said.

Sam caught up to his brother physically, and the Vincents caught on as twin linebacker terrors for a top-ranked Washington team that's 7-0 and hosts Iowa City High on Thursday night at Kingston Stadium. The boys are first and third in tackles for a Warriors defense that allows just 9.3 points per game.

'They are good football players, they love the game, are coachable, will absorb everything you give them and try and do their best,” said Washington Coach Paul James. 'They are both hitters with pretty good closing speed. They can come around the horn and get a pretty good pass rush. And they've got the ability to drop in coverage, too.”

The Vincents have played football together since fourth grade, with the exception of their sophomore seasons, when Connor was promoted to the Washington varsity.

'That felt different,” Sam said.

They live near Xavier High School in northeast Cedar Rapids but open enrolled at Washington because their older brother, Quinn, had such a good experience there.

Quinn Vincent spent his freshman year at Cedar Rapids Kennedy, but moved to Wash and was a starter for the Warriors. He is a 22-year-old student at the University of Northern Iowa.

'He told us how great it was here,” Sam said.

'There is a really good bond here at Wash,” Connor said. 'Not only on the football team, but at the school as a whole, there is a lot of diversity. So I think that makes it easier every single year to connect with each other on the football field. I also give a lot of credit to our coaches. All of them.”

The Vincents proclaim to have alike personalities and almost always have gotten along. Hey, that's what they say.

When asked what their biggest fight ever was, neither brother could remember one. That's a good thing.

'I'd say he's a little more talkative than I am,” Connor said. 'He's a little more goofy, is always joking around. I think I bring a little more seriousness to our relationship as twins. But I'd say we're both fairly similar.”

'I try to pick up on his seriousness and try not to ever slack off,” Sam said. 'Sometimes we'll get into it during games if one of us says something to a ref or makes a mistake, but that's about it. There's a good bond there between us.”

James said Sam began last season as a reserve, but his work ethic and improved play forced him into the starting lineup for the opener. Connor has been a three-year starter, also getting time offensively at fullback.

'It's a lot of fun playing right next to my brother,” Connor said. 'I don't know, especially after we get a big play, just looking at each other and having someone to share that experience with is awesome.

'It's been two years now that we've started together. I think my mom has really enjoyed it, my grandmother and aunt always come up from Mount Pleasant to watch our games. They love it, are there every game. You've just got to appreciate every second you've got with these guys. Knowing that it's our last year together, our senior year. Just enjoy every part of it.”

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