Screven County's playoff run is a family affair

SYLVANIA, Ga. - Warren and Willis McCorvey have an unspoken pact: What happens on the football field, stays on the football field.

They don't like taking it home with them. They don't like pigskin talk once their pads are off.

"But," Willis said, "we usually bring it home anyway."

How can you blame the fraternal twins? After all, it's tough not talking about football at home when your stepfather is your coach.

The McCorveys' parents divorced when they were 2. Their mom, Alisa, married current Gamecocks coach Mark Daniel the next year.

Now, the three have the opportunity to compete for a Class AAA state title.

Their quest - and the dreams of all the Gamecocks - continue in the state semifinals at 3 p.m. Saturday against Gainesville in Atlanta's Georgia Dome.

For Willis and Warren, the thought of winning a title together - along with their stepdad - is exciting.

"Being together, it would be pretty cool," Warren said. "A bunch of years from now, we'll realize how fortunate we were."

It's been a decade-and-a-half in the making.

"It probably began when they were 3 years old and wore Chicago Bears uniforms for Halloween," Daniel said. "Ever since they were little boys, they've done stuff together. They've always been close."

They also were raised on wrestling and football. The 185-pound Willis is the quarterback, and 275-pound Warren plays on the offensive line.

"Warren has always been a little heavier than the other boys," Daniel said. "So when he was a water boy at our football camps, he'd hang around with the offensive linemen. He took a liking to it. He's got that great offensive lineman mentality.

"And for Willis, wrestling has been really good for him. It gave him a little bit of toughness. When you get out on the mat, you're by yourself. You can't hide behind anybody else."

He displayed that toughness last week when, while suffering the effects of torn ligaments in his thumb, he led the Gamecocks to a 15-14 win against No. 1 LaGrange.

"We don't know how to play any other way," Warren said. "You can't be weak and play football. We don't like sitting on the sidelines."

Willis will play this week against the Red Elephants because a Warren-led offensive line kept the Grangers' defensive line from pressuring him and possibly reaggravating the thumb injury.

"Warren is real quick, and he's real strong," said Willis, who's older by three minutes. "And he's got a temper on the field. That's always good."

He's just not immune to the kidding of a twin brother and a stepfather.

"Actually, Willis and me are smarter than Warren," Daniel said with a good-natured smile. "We always have to figure out how to get to the food before Warren."

Reach Josh Katzowitz at (706) 823-3216 or josh.katzowitz@augustachronicle.com.