It鈥檚 all about brotherhood and football for Zach and Jake Little
FLEMING ISLAND, Fla. — Zach and Jake Little were born in North Carolina and moved to Florida in 2005. Their parents, Matt and Gayle, are Carolina Panthers fans so the Littles watched the games as a family. The boys played flag football in elementary school and especially loved playing in the mud.
They both worked hard and earned their first-degree black belts in karate and their second-degree black belts in Tae Kwon Do while they were in elementary school. However, their true love has always been football.
Zach made the junior high football team in 7th grade even though he had never formally played the game. He played 8 on 8 Spring football with some friends from junior high and learned more about the game. In between junior high and high school he got serious in the gym and got stronger. He had a great high school career as a Defensive End and earned the recognition of Second Team All-County in his senior year. Zach was honored to receive the Wes Whiddon Memorial Scholarship in 2020. He earned a football scholarship at Warner University and made the travel team as a freshman playing Line Backer/Defensive End.
Jake started his Pop Warner career when he was in 6th grade. He played Pop Warner through Junior High and now plays Defensive End for Fleming Island High School.聽 He also played 8 on 8 every Spring to get more experience. His Dreadnaughts team had an undefeated season and were State Champions in 2021. Jake hopes to further his football career when he graduates in 2023. He helps teach karate at Premier Martial Arts during the off season.
They both have learned so much more than the game of football. Zach lost his friend Ben Johnson to a brain aneurysm their sophomore year in high school. Jake has a teammate from 8 on 8 battling brain cancer. These tragedies have brought the teams together to play for something bigger than themselves. They have experienced the bond of brotherhood and community. They have made some lifelong friends and been coached by some amazing men. They learned to win and lose with professionalism, exceed in difficult situations and work together as a team. We are so proud of everything they have accomplished. There is nothing better than watching our boys be so happy doing something they love.
This is an unedited user writing submission. The views, information, or opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Best Version Media or its employees.