Emily Montano is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Deer Valley High School for AZPreps365.com.

GLENDALE— Under the Friday night lights at Deer Valley High School, football feels a lot more like family. Not just because of the team’s chemistry, but because two sets of siblings take the field together. 

Seniors Simon and Sergio Gonzales, and Anthony and Julius Wald make two sets of twin brothers on the football team. Bonded not only by blood but by the same passion for football and sports that drives them through every snap and sprint. 

The Gonzales twins bring speed and skill on both sides of the ball with Simon at receiver and safety, and Sergio at receiver and corner. At the line of scrimmage, the Wald twins bring the muscle, with Anthony locking down left tackle and defensive end, and Julius controlling the right side at tackle and nose guard. Together, the four seniors have brought chemistry, leadership, and a deep sense of brotherhood to the Skyhawks. 

The Gonzales twins grew up immersed in sports from a very young age.

“They have played sports their whole lives,” mother Valerie Pacheco-Gonzales said. “They started tackle football at 6 years old and just absolutely loved it.” 

Though they stepped away to focus on basketball after freshman year, they returned as seniors eager to finish what they started.

“They didn't want to miss their senior year. So they came back out and I was very happy about it,” Valerie said.  

Simon Gonzales (left) and Sergio Gonzalez (right) smile under Friday night lights after a football game. (Photo courtesy of  Valerie Pacheco-Gonzales)

For the Wald twins, football became something even bigger. Anthony and Julius found stability, structure and motivation through the game. 

“Football gave them focus and confidence,” mother Candace Wald said. “It turned negative energy into something positive.” 

Anthony Wald (left) and Julius Wald (right) pose for a picture together. (Photo courtesy of Jasmine Lynn/ishot studios) 

Football coach Daniel Friedman has watched both sets of twins develop since middle school. He says their impact on the program goes far beyond athletic ability. 

“Simon and Sergio bring us great athleticism and energy, and Anthony and Julius bring power and size,” Friedman said. 

What stands out most to Friedman, though, isn’t just their skill, it’s their growth. 

As a father of twins himself, he understands the unique bond shared between the brothers.

“They have that unspoken chemistry,” Friedman said. “You can see it during practice, they just read each other’s minds sometimes. It’s pretty special.”

Both sets of twins represent everything Deer Valley football stands for. 

“They lead by example,” Friedman said. “Their work ethic, attitude, and accountability define this team. Without them, we wouldn’t be where we are.”

This season has brought both triumphs and challenges, especially after Simon Gonzales suffered a shoulder injury followed by a fractured elbow during this season’s Homecoming game.

“He was running the ball and went to stiff-arm someone,” Valerie  said. “He fell hard and dislocated his elbow.”

“You could see the worry all over Sergio’s face,” Friedman said. “There’s a lot of love between those brothers.”

For the Wald family, football’s impact goes beyond wins and losses. 

“They took full advantage of it and started working with other people as a team and stopped trying to survive,” Candace Wald said. 

As high schoolers, the twins’ personalities shine through both on and off the field. They have grown into leaders who balance positivity with accountability. They each guide teammates with respect and maturity. They understand when it’s time to take charge and when it’s better to step back and let things unfold.

Beyond the field, Friedman describes the four seniors as “polite, respectful, and hardworking,” the kind of young men every coach wants representing his program. “Teachers and faculty always have positive things to say about all four of them,” Friedman said. 

Two sets of twins on one roster is almost unheard of, but for the Skyhawks, it’s turned out to be something special.

“It’s really fun,” Simon said. “We do everything together, and we’re making these memories that we’ll have forever.”

“I love being around him —he’s my best friend,” Sergio said. 

The Walds share that same joy. “I have my best friend on the same line as me,” Anthony said. “It’s amazing.”

“Win or lose, I know I’ll always have him by my side after the game,” Simon said.

As seniors, both sets of twins know their time playing side by side is running out but the lessons they’ve learned will stay long after the final whistle.