Competitive Chaykowski twins push envelope for each other, Granville
GRANVILLE ― For a Granville football program that prides itself on being fast and physical, Matthew and Mikey Chaykowski should be on the poster.
In fact the twins, now seniors after four years at the varsity level, are also the engine driving the Blue Aces' lacrosse team in the spring, and Newark Generals' hockey club in the winter, as rare three-sport athletes.
Matthew is the prime running back and Mikey a key receiver, and both star at linebacker for seventh-seeded Granville, which matches 8-2 records with 10th seed Bellefontaine at 7 p.m. Friday at Walter J. Hodges Stadium in a Division III, Region 11 opener.
Coach Wes Schroeder doesn't know what he would do without them.
"Just their competitiveness, and giving everything they have to whatever sport they're playing," he said. "It bleeds throughout our team. They're athletic, talented and physical. They've bought into our culture, with the way they work and do things the right way. They've played in more big games than the average football player. Even with all we graduated from last year, I still thought we could be decent, and a big reason was because of them."
Major defenders on last year's historic run to the Division III state semifinals, the Chaykowskis have also put their own offensive stamp on a team that was expected to be rebuilding, but instead, has maintained its high level. Matt has carried 211 times for 930 yards and six touchdowns, while Mikey has 27 catches for 376 yards and five more scores. He is also the punter.
"Mikey is the energy of the team, even when he's out," said Matt (Mikey has missed the last two games with a dislocated elbow, but hopes to return Friday). "He fuels us and keeps us going."
"Matt has mental toughness. He does not let other teams' talking get into his head," Mikey said. "He plays with a chip on his shoulder."
The twins' competitiveness comes from growing up with older brothers Patrick, Nathan and Joey, all former Granville athletes. They've enjoyed playing three sports. "Just the physicality and competition, It fuels us, and it comes from having three older brothers," Mikey said.
"We see them every week, and they're pushing us, challenging us to see who's the best," Matt said. "They always give us crap if we mess something up in the games, and tell us what we need to focus on," said Mikey.
Not surprisingly, the twins are very close and have enjoyed this athletic ride together.
"We love being competitive, but we also love to pick each other up for our accomplishments," Matt said. "It's been great, having someone to talk to about what we saw on film, and going through the highs and lows of each sport."
"It's always been fun," Mikey said. "I don't have to ask my teammates about things. I have him at home."
Both will attend Ohio State, where their dad Steve works, and live in a house with their older brothers. Matt will major in engineering and Mikey in nursing. But first, they have sports careers to finish at Granville, and they want to prolong this football season as long as possible.
It won't be easy against a Bellefontaine team very much underrated as a No. 10 seed. The Chieftains own a 28-13 win against Licking Heights and only lost 31-21 to perennial state title contender Coldwater. Quarterback Tavien St. Clair, a gifted 6-foot-4, 190-pound sophomore, has already visited Florida and Tennessee, and threw for a school-record 412 yards and seven touchdowns in a 53-32 win at Springfield Shawnee. Tailback Chris Fogan rushed for 217 yards and three touchdowns against Sidney.
"He really can throw it, and he's very accurate," Schroeder said. "If we make mistakes, he'll make us pay."
Mikey Chaykowski hopes to be back in the lineup to stop him.
"It's our most important game," he said. "I've had some great people step up to fill my role. They're a great team and he's a great player, like that Western Brown quarterback last year (Drew Novak). But we've been playing great defense, and I know we'll have a good game plan to beat them."
Schroeder says getting to host is a plus in the opener. The winner faces the survivor of No. 2 Jackson (8-2) and No. 15 Miami Trace (4-6) the following Friday.
"We've already had six home games, and we always seem to play better in front of our home fans," Schroeder said.
dweidig@gannett.com
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This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Granville's Chaykowski twins a driving force for Blue Aces' sports
