CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Carroll Tigers and Moody Trojans are both enjoying win streaks heading into the bye week.
Their success has a lot to do with Carroll's Robert Muhammad and Moody's Kayden Dufour, their standout running backs. As Carroll and Moody look to end their respective playoff droughts, they have seen success in the run game with Muhammad and Dufour.
They bring a special bond to the football field, too, since they are both cousins. They spoke about their bond, and what they are looking forward to when they play each other this season.
"Honestly, just playing against him and just talking trash to each other a little bit here and there," Robert Muhammad said.
The Tigers won back-to-back games against Calallen and Tuloso-Midway in the last two weeks. They are looking to make the playoffs for the first time since 2017. Muhammad, a senior, is one of the players helping them do that.
His cousin Kayden Dufour is looking to help the Trojans end a playoff drought that goes back to 2004. He said he hopes Moody keeps their four-game win streak going.
Muhammad and Dufour described their relationship growing up as close. However, they just started playing each other in football for the first time last season.
"Way more competitive while we're on the field," Kayden Dufour said. "Off the field, we're loving like brothers."
Carroll defeated Moody last season to give Muhammad the head-to-head win over Dufour. Kerry Dufour, Kayden's mom, said that it is amazing to root for both players but also difficult when they play each other.
"Each week they try to outscore each other," Kerry Dufour said. "Who can get the most touchdowns every week. So, when they play against each other it's a show."
Kerry explained that Genia Muhammad, Robert's mom, and her cheer for their sons and each other's. In the Week 11 matchup between Carroll and Moody this year, they plan to sit on the Carroll side for one half and the Moody side for the other.
Genia described what it was like when Robert and Kayden played each other for the first time last season.
"It was sad at the same time cause one team won, the other one lost, but they both hugged each other at the end," Genia Muhammad said. "So, that made us all cry."