Courtney Dwaileebe is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Valley Christian High School for AZPreps365.com

It is rare to see siblings playing on the same team together, let alone twins.

At Valley Christian, Cole and Will Bastian have been playing sports together their whole lives, and their relationship has only grown closer over the years.

They have very different roles on the field. Cole is a starting wide receiver, while Will is a starting corner for the team.

Born in Arizona, they started playing tackle together in sixth grade. However, their journey began when they discovered their love for football during first-grade recess.

Whereas several of their teammates have attended Valley Christian since elementary school, Will and Cole only started after their freshman year of high school. Nevertheless, the fact that you would never know they missed any time with their teammates just goes to show how well they fit right in.

“It is really fun seeing them on the field together,” the twins’ father Nick Bastian said. “Especially as a dad to see both of my boys have so much fun and success. This has truly been a really special year overall. They are twins, and they are best friends, even if they give each other a hard time.”

Playing alongside each other presents both advantages and challenges, but their close relationship and bond are what sets them apart from the rest of the team.

“The advantage of playing with my brother is really having that connection with him, but sometimes we can get a little bit distracted,” Will said.

Cole said they push each other well.

“I mean, when one of us would make a mistake on the field or even at home, we would always get on each other,” Cole said. “It makes us want to do better and be better teammates. We have gotten better at fighting throughout the years”

Not only are they a support system for one another, but the Bastian twins are a source of positivity for the team in addition to being talented athletes, according to head coach Jake Petersen.

“Will and Cole are each other's biggest fans and biggest competitors,” Petersen said. “Their personalities are contagious to those around them and they are so full of energy all the time.”

As they finish their last season of football and prepare to graduate in 2024, they have thought about future aspirations. Even though they excel at their respective positions, playing football is not exactly what they see themselves doing in college. Cole would like to continue playing lacrosse, and Will would prefer to continue playing baseball.

As a junior, Cole was named all-state honorable mention for lacrosse, won defensive MVP, and was selected to play in the league all-star game. Will was named all-region honorable mention for baseball and his team made it to the state championship last season.

Wherever life takes them after high school, one thing remains constant: the unbreakable bond and friendship they share.

“I just always know that he has my back and I got his,” Will said.