'The Jacobi' hope to lead Kennedy back to state

CEDAR RAPIDS - It's hard to believe they're brothers.Devon Jacobus is stoic, bigger physically than his more extroverted younger sibling, Derek. They play on the same side of the infield, but that's pretty much where the similarities begin and end."He's always been the bigger kid, and I've always been fast," Derek Jacobus said."He likes to run as fast as he can," Devon Jacobus agreed. "I like to hit it as far as I can.""The Jacobi," as coach Bret Hoyer calls them, have been integral in another great baseball season for Cedar Rapids Kennedy. The Cougars finished the regular season 30-6, with a co-championship (with Linn-Mar) in the Mississippi Valley Conference's Mississippi Division and a No. 2 ranking in the state.Kennedy hosts Waterloo East in a first-round substate game Friday, as it seeks to make the state tournament for the sixth time in seven years."Devon does a great job with Derek," Kennedy coach Bret Hoyer said. "I catch him with glances, encouraging Derek. He's a wise counsel, helping him along. We're thrilled to have them, thrilled that they're both different types of players because we've got two different roles that we need them to fulfill. They're both so coachable, so enjoyable to work with."Devon is a four-year starter at third base who will play college baseball next season at Grand View. He's a cleanup hitter with a discerning eye, recording almost twice as many walks this season as the next highest Cougar.Derek is the precocious sophomore shortstop. He's the speed guy toward the top of the order, a perfect 15 for 15 in stolen bases.This is the first time they've played together since early in their Junior Cougars days: Devon was 8 and Derek 6. They're enjoying the heck out of this one-year opportunity."I know where he's at at all times (on the field)," Devon said. "If he boots something or I boot something, I know what to say to keep us going. We just always have each other's backs.""It's been enjoyable," Derek said. "He's kind of a vacuum cleaner over there at third ... He makes it a lot easier on me, being the vacuum that he is."Devon smiled when he heard that last sentence."They're both pretty quiet," Hoyer said. "I think their personalities are a little bit different. Derek is a little more demonstrative with his body language. Devon keeps everything inside. Devon has a very quiet sense of humor. It's there, it's very evident. But the thing is they're both very similar competitors.""The Jacobi" say they don't really talk about games until they're over. The car ride to the diamond is quiet, the car ride home a little louder.This season has been a lot easier on their parents, Eric and Shelley Jacobus. Derek played sophomore ball as a freshman last season, so mom and dad had to split where they went."They love us the same, no matter what happens," Devon said. "Whatever we do.""Now they get to watch the same game," Derek said. "And the same side of the infield, I guess."