Family and football

CEDAR RAPIDS - They have moved from their front yard to the yard lines of Clark Field with a stop at Kingston Stadium in between.

Drew and Trevor Heitland have had the opportunity to share in each other's football career since they began playing as kids.

The brother duo cherishes the chance to suit up and take the field together as they begin another season for Coe College. The Kohawks begin the season at home against seventh-ranked Wheaton (Ill.) College on Sept. 5.

The Heitlands played together at Cedar Rapids Kennedy. They were reunited last season when Coe went 5-5. Trevor Heitland transferred in after a semester at Iowa Central and Drew Heitland began his college career as a freshman.

'I like playing with Drew,” Trevor Heitland said. 'He's a good player. It's just fun to play with family.”

One of the reasons why the younger Heitland selected Coe was the opportunity to play three of his final four seasons alongside his older brother. The pair trained together in the off-season, waking up to go lift and then heading off to summer jobs.

'It's special,” said Drew Heitland, who was an offensive lineman and blocked for his brother for a season at Kennedy. 'It's something you dream about.

'That is pretty neat.”

The roles they play are vastly different. Trevor Heitland is a versatile offensive weapon. He is the top returning receiver with 564 yards on 42 catches and five touchdowns. The 5-foot-10, 197-pounder also averaged 5.4 yards per carry.

Coe Coach Steve Staker said he liked how Trevor Heitland has looked in preseason camp.

'Trevor is a talented athlete, both as a runner and as a pass catcher,” said Staker, entering his eighth year with a 51-23 record as the Kohawks skipper. 'We're going to count on him quite a bit. He's got good hands. He's going to catch the ball. He gets out in space he will be tough to corral. He's got good moves and sneaky speed.”

Drew Heitland cracked the starting lineup on the defensive line at the end of last season. He made his mark in his first start, tallying six total tackles with two sacks in the season finale win over Buena Vista. At 6-4 and 246 pounds, he is expected to be an anchor in a strong defensive line.

Staker said he is a 'special kid” that has improved from last season.

'Drew is bigger, faster and stronger this year,” Staker said. 'Right now, he is a tough load for our offense to handle. He's quick off the ball. He's strong. He's going to keep getting better and better. He understands the game.”

The Heitlands have a good-natured competition. Staker said he complimented Drew Heitland on a play in practice only for Trevor Heitland to inject his critique, calling it average. It serves as an entertaining back-and-forth.

'We always give each other crap,” Trevor Heitland said. 'We keep it light. It's usually a fun atmosphere out here with us.”

Drew Heitland admitted to looking for his chances to deliver a hard hit to his brother, who may get the chance to land a block. At the very least, he sneaks in an extra shove after a play. They are brothers and teammates, after all, so they root for each other. They just don't want to take a back seat to their sibling.

'It's always interesting,” Drew Heitland said. 'He makes a good play (and) I have to make one back just to shove it in his face.”

Don't be fooled by their antics in practice. Staker said they are inseparable off the field, hanging out or eating together. On the field, they will both look to make a big impact.

'They are both talented young men,” Staker said. 'You're going to hear a lot of that Heitland name on Saturday afternoon, for sure.”

The offense returns talent in the skill position in addition to Trevor Heitland. Sam Lahr and Colton Storla combined for more than 1,000 rushing yards with Lahr amassing 785. Quarterback Josh Rekers is coming off a 2,590-yard season with 21 TDs. Gavin Glenn provides more of a dual-threat, being able to scramble from the pocket. Both did well in a recent scrimmage against St. Ambrose.

'He made the right reads,” Staker said of Rekers. 'He didn't panic. We're going to need that kind of play from him throughout the season.

'Gavin brings more of a scramble aspect. He's going to be more of a runner. I feel good about him and I wouldn't hesitate to have him in the game at certain times and during certain points of the game.”

The defensive line has a local flavor and has been impressive thus far. Heitland is joined by former Solon prep Jake Morris, Andrew Netolicky, a former Cedar Rapids Prairie prep and Robbie Morris, of Mount Vernon.

'I'm really pleased with our front four,” said Staker, noting former Linn-Mar prep Mark Atwater will head the linebacker unit depleted by graduation. 'They have dominated in our camp so far, so it will be interesting to see how that progresses into our games. The big thing is staying healthy.”

l Comments: (319) 368-8679; kj.pilcher@thegazette.com