Moline Brothers Share the Joy at Mission Viejo

Sometimes it takes a strained back or the pleas from a neutral third party to convince a father that his son has grown too big to hop on his back.

Chris Moline, a surfer, ex-football player and manly guy, always enjoyed having his sons seek piggy-back rides.

“They used to jump on me,” he said.

No more. It could be an episode for “Fear Factor” if his two youngest boys, Chase and Chane, tried to demonstrate what it would be like having Dad carry them across the family kitchen.

Chase is a 6-foot-2, 240-pound starting offensive guard for unbeaten Mission Viejo High. Chane is a 6-1, 225-pound starting fullback. Together, they have been key contributors during the Diablos’ 40-game win streak.

“It’s an awesome family,” Coach Bob Johnson said.

A third Moline brother, Chad, started last season for the Diablos.

Their parents, Chris and Dawn, are having the time of their lives watching the boys share the joys of football.

“It doesn’t get any better than high school football,” Chris said. “They’re like celebrities to their aunts and uncles. Some don’t even believe they’re my kids. I tell them all the time, ‘You don’t know how many lives you’ve touched.’ ”

Chane, a sophomore, has become a big-time college prospect because of the way he runs over and away from linebackers. In a game against Long Beach Poly, one of the fastest teams in Southern California, Chane ran 88 yards for a touchdown. He’s averaging 10 yards a carry, having gained 636 yards. He also has caught 22 passes for 303 yards and seven touchdowns.

“He’s a great football player,” Johnson said. “He’s 225 pounds and has speed. He catches balls with the best receivers. He’s pretty special.”

Chase, a junior, clears the way for Chane with his blocking. He’s his brother’s protector and usually guides him through the hole, then leaves it up to Chane to do the rest.

“I like it when he’s running because he knows where to go,” Chase said. “It’s fun blocking for my brother and getting him some glory.”

Chase and Chane were born 10 months apart, have lived together in the same room for 16 years and are best friends.

“He’s always laughing and smiling,” Chane said. “That makes me feel relaxed, and it’s fun to be around him. His friends are pretty much my friends.”

Said Chase: “We have such a good time together. On the field, he gives it his all every play. He’ll never let down. It’s a good experience for us knowing we can trust each other because not many kids get to play with their brother and it will be something to talk about when we have grandkids.”

Their father wanted them to become surfers. Their mother wanted them to become models. They compromised, and football became their calling.

Chane might be the toughest Moline because his older brothers did what all older brothers do to the youngest. They used him as a punching bag.

“He fights back now,” Chase said.

The boys haven’t cut their hair since football practice began in August, a superstition they’re sticking to as long as the Diablos keep winning games. Their coach doesn’t mind.

“I don’t care where it hangs down to as long as we keep winning,” Johnson said. “They can braid it around their calves.”

When the Molines want to relax, they’ll grab their surfboards and head to the beach.

“It’s fun knowing we can all hang out in the water and have a good time,” Chase said.

The boys agree Dad is the best surfer, but they insist his days of trying to tackle either of them are over.

Asked what would happen if their father tried to tackle Chane, Chase said, “It would be like hitting a brick wall.”

There’s no more jumping on Dad in the Moline family anymore, but the good times continue to roll.

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Eric Sondheimer can be reached at [email protected]