The Vaqueros are seeing double as the Arnell twins play their last season together for the undefeated team.
Zack (No. 1) and Jacob (No. 3) moved to Santa Barbara on their mom’s recommendation last year after spending their childhood in San Diego. The two came to City College to make something happen with their football careers and lives afterwards.
“We weren’t really doing anything there and pretty much everybody who stays in San Diego and goes to community college doesn’t really do anything with their lives anyway,” Zack said. “It’s probably the best decision I’ve made.”
Jacob is the elder of the two by one minute. However, the term “big brother” should be used loosely as Zack is four inches taller at 6’3 than older brother Jacob who stands at 5’11.
Zack plays defensive back and Jacob is a wide receiver. The two are major contributors on both sides of the ball for the undefeated Vaqueros.
Jacob is leading the team in all receiving categories including receptions, touchdowns and yards. Although he might not be the tallest receiver, his hard work and effort on the field are second to none. He leads the American Pacific Conference with seven touchdown receptions through only five games.
“I’ve worked hard,” Jacob said. “ I used to be really lazy and never do anything. This offseason I’ve been working with some of the older guys and I’ve noticed a difference a lot.”
Jacob wants to get into a career involving engineering when football comes to an end. In the mean time he continues to strive to improve and catch anything thrown his way.
“I want to go hopefully to a Division 1 or Division 1-AA school and play,” Jacob said. “I’ve been talking to NAIA schools and some of my friends are talking to their coaches.”
Zack leads the team and is tied for second in the APC with three interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown. He also has a forced fumble and is amongst the team leaders in tackles. He was named APC Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts against East Los Angeles on Sept. 14 at La Playa Stadium.
Zack wants to one day be a firefighter. Until then, his primary focus is extinguishing any ball thrown his way.
As Jacob is in his last year of eligibility playing for City College, the two have embraced this will likely be their last season playing together.
“I don’t know how it feels to not play with him.” Zack said. “We’ve always gone together as a package.”
“We’ve played sports together all the way back from when we were like three and playing soccer.” Jacob said.
The Arnells call it “tough love” on the field as they will give one another a tough time if the other gets beat, but it’s only to make the other better. When asked who would win a one-on-one, the sibling rivalry came alive as they both quickly and confidently said they would take the other.
“They’re so competitive, not just with each other but in the games,” head coach Craig Moropoulos said. “They’re very hard on each other and hard on themselves.”
Although the two carry themselves in a completely different way, there is no denying that one trait the two both possess is their passion for the game.
