High school football practices across the country pivot offenses vs. defenses, teammates battling teammates and friends trying to beat friends. But at Pinnacle High School, another matchup looms – twin vs. twin.

Hayden and Hogan Hatten have been doing just that since the eighth grade. It was then that the two went their separate positional ways -- Hayden went to offense with Hogan traveling over to the defensive end.

Hayden, who mainly plays receiver, has 46 receptions and 702 receiving yards this season in just 10 games.

“He’s got incredible hands,” Coach Dana Zupke said after a recent game.

Hogan, on the other hand, sees most of his playing time at the linebacker position and has already racked up four sacks and 37 tackles.

The moves have made the twins look across from each in practice, creating some friendly competition between the two.

“It’s really fun. He gives me a love tap compared to the other guys,” Hayden said. “He’s really hitting me good. But it’s just the brother rivalry and ever since we’ve been growing up it has been like that.

The Hatten twins’ competitive nature doesn’t stay on the field, it translates to almost everything they do.

Hayden recalls a few memories that illustrate that. One he remembered involved the two diving around on the concrete trying to beat one another as their dad threw the football around. Another happened very recently.

“Last Saturday, we were just joking around and we were like, ‘alright lets play soccer one-on-one,’ Hayden said. “We brought out little nets and were like drenched in sweat like pushing each other down. And it’s been like that every since we were five.”

At times these competitions will have some interesting stakes. The two juniors may put a lunch bet on a round of golf, but it’s video games that draw the most unique stakes.

“We’ll play a FIFA match to see who gets the dishwasher and stuff like that,” Hogan said.

At home it may be all fun and games for the twins, but football is different. The two have nothing guaranteed for the future; they are still waiting for that first scholarship offer to come.

“The first offer is going to be huge. It’s going to feel like a home school to me,” Hayden said.

The weird thing about their recruiting is the possibility of them getting separate offers. They’ve played on the same team practically their whole life. They’re twins after all, it seems like a package deal.

But Hayden and Hogan are realistic. They understand the competitive nature of college football and their offers may not be for the same school, but that doesn’t mean they don’t hope for it.

“Going to the same place would be awesome . . . but if that’s not possible we understand,” Hayden said. “But getting the opportunity to play at the same school would be great.”

Hogan felt the same way.

“We would play football separately,” He said. “But why not spend another four years with my brother if I can.”