In it to twin it: Meet Chino Hills football standouts, Colin and Hunter Corbin
CHINO HILLS, Calif. — Sometimes when you ask for a miracle, you get two.
Meet identical twins Colin and Hunter Corbin, star varsity football players and juniors at Chino Hills High School.
They鈥檝e played sports longer than they鈥檝e been in school. Starting in little league at four years old, Colin and Hunter exhibited a passion for competition with each other and as teammates. Despite typical sibling rivalry, they always had each other鈥檚 back.
鈥淭wins are different, they鈥檙e closer physically and emotionally than other siblings,鈥� says their mom, Tamara. 鈥淎nd when they鈥檙e on the field, they鈥檙e an unstoppable force.鈥� They’re never far apart even when they aren鈥檛 getting along, says their mom.
They played baseball until their sophomore year in high school, but it was football that ultimately sparked their desire to take their athleticism to the next level.
Hunter joined a flag football league in the third grade, and Colin joined the following year. It was evident, according to coaches and their parents, that the boys had natural athletic ability. In the fifth grade, they moved from flag to tackle football with Chino Hills Junior All-American Football.
Upon entering high school, this talented duo started on the varsity team. They were two of only three freshmen to achieve this that season.
Colin is a strong safety and describes his position as the last line of defense. 鈥淭hink of it as a hybrid between a linebacker and a free safety,鈥� he says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 more physical, and I like the freedom as opposed to a linebacker whose position is limited to the box.鈥�
Sports brings challenges and Colin recognized his early on. 鈥淐onfidence was a challenge in my freshmen year playing at the varsity level,鈥� he says. 鈥淲orking with my coaches helped me overcome that.鈥� What does confidence mean to Colin? 鈥淐onfidence is being prepared for the game.鈥� He says watching films of the other team, visualizing his assignments and making the right calls help him prepare for a game. He credits his team of coaches: Daniel Binyon, Andre Spencer and Bill Carter who all encouraged him to be more vocal and influential to his teammates.
One of Colin鈥檚 most memorable plays occurred during the CIF Division 5 playoff game against Summit High School in the 2021-22 season. 鈥淚 chased down the running back on a breakaway run, I punched the ball out of his hands on the one-yard line preventing the touchdown,鈥� Colin says. 鈥淚t was a proud moment.鈥� He loves football for being physical, aggressive and interactive. 鈥淚 like being part of a team and working together to achieve a goal.鈥�
Keland Johnson is head coach and special teams coordinator for the varsity football team. 鈥淗e [Colin] had a breakout season,鈥� says Johnson. 鈥淵ou can always expect him to make a play at any time of the game.鈥� Johnson says the coaching staff thinks very highly of him and his ability to play in any position.
Hunter is a middle linebacker and running back for the Huskies. He says he loves football for the physical contact and the challenge of defeating an opponent. He is motivated by his friends and the brotherhood of his team.
Hunter’s biggest and most memorable play was in his freshman year in a game against Los Osos. He ran the ball for 99 yards and scored a touchdown. He didn鈥檛 expect the play to go this way. He says he was exhausted and excited after the huge run.
Like his brother, Hunter gains confidence through preparation. He says hard work and dedication pay off which means focusing on the game ahead, watching film, getting sleep and eating right – or what he calls 鈥渢he essentials.鈥�
鈥淵ou need to be prepared, play with your head up and trust your instincts,鈥� says Hunter. 鈥淒on鈥檛 overthink it.鈥� Words Hunter says he lives by.
Hunter鈥檚 coaches respect his development as a player and a leader both on and off the field and doesn鈥檛 hesitate to help motivate other players.
The brothers played important roles in their most successful season at Chino Hills High with the Huskies reaching the CIF Division 5 semi-finals in 2021. Now, with the season behind them, they found ways to stay physically fit until their senior season this coming fall.
This winter, both joined the wrestling team for the first time. Inspired by their dad, Russ, who wrestled in college, they find the sport to be just as physically demanding and challenging. The boys say wrestling utilizes the same body position and muscle set used in tackling and helps them to 鈥渟tay low,鈥� a necessary component of football.
鈥淚t鈥檚 very humbling,鈥� says Colin about wrestling, 鈥渋t鈥檚 one-on-one so if you lose, it鈥檚 all on you.鈥� Colin placed third in league finals this season. 鈥淚 wasn鈥檛 sure how far I could go in my first season. I鈥檓 so proud of what I accomplished.鈥�
When they aren’t playing sports, they team up in video games or watch their favorite movies together. During summer break, they participate in football camps and prepare for the next season.
Another first: both joined track and field for the spring season. Both say it will help maintain and improve their fitness levels in speed, endurance, agility, balance and flexibility, all the necessary traits of a football player.
Both aspire to play football in college. Colin is interested in the sciences and Hunter would like to study business administration or marketing. They both said they鈥檇 be OK attending different schools, but it would be great to be together.
Colin鈥檚 2021 Baseline League Ranking:
鈥� 8th with 90 Defensive Tackles
鈥� 8th with 3 Defensive Interceptions
Hunter鈥檚 2021 Baseline League Ranking:
鈥� 2nd with 113 Defensive Tackles
鈥� 9th in Offensive Rushing with 317 yds, 6 TDs
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.