Calvary Christian’s Alton Cooley, left, and Alton Cooley, right, pose for a picture Tuesday. The two players are brothers and were given the same name

Just call them “A” and “B.”

At least that’s how Calvary Christian coach Kirby Newell refers to his pair of standout wide receivers.

Alton Darnell Cooley and Alton Darnell Cooley are brothers and were given the same name.

Separated by one year in age, the Cooley brothers inherited their shared name from their father, Alton Darnell Cooley Sr.

“It’s no problem with me,” the 18-year-old sibling said.

Added the 17-year-old Cooley, “And I love it.”  

The Cooley brothers made their way to Calvary last year via Meridian High School. The pair are seniors this year, and in addition to playing wideout, each serves as a prominent member of the Cougars defense, with the older Cooley playing defensive end and the younger Cooley at linebacker.

“It’s a family here, and everyone respects each other,” the older Cooley said. “We play as a team. There is no ‘I’ in team. Everyone has their own part, and everyone helps each other out as a family.”

The Cooley’s have had to make the adjustment from the typical 11-on-11 football playing style to the 8-on-8 format at Calvary.

“It’s way different,” the older Cooley said. “Eight-man football is way harder; it’s a team thing and a team effort. But we work hard and we play hard.”

Yet it’s been a welcomed transition, although difficult at times.

“It’s really hard,” the younger Cooley said. “When there’s a timeout, there’s nobody coming in for you. There’s nobody to take your position.”

Last week, the Cougars (1-3) notched their first win of the year after shellacking Park Place Christian Academy 40-22.

“Everybody worked together to get the win,” the younger Cooley said. “Nobody won the game by themselves. We all worked together to get the win, and that’s what I love about (Calvary).”

However, the older Cooley was out of action after spraining his knee the week before. The 18-year-old said he remains hard at work and hopes to return to the field in two weeks.

“My team motivates me,” the older Cooley said. “I can bend my leg, but I can’t bend it as far as I want to. But once I get to that point, I’m going to get it strong and come back out with my family and play again.”

Perhaps the older Cooley’s biggest supporter is his own brother, as they are each other’s best friend on and off the field.

“When one of us gets in trouble, both of us take the blame,” the older Cooley said. “It is just what is. We do everything and we go everywhere together.”

Added the younger Cooley, “I love my brother. We do all sorts of things together —

we go fishing, hunting, camping, just about everything. You name it we do it.”