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The Kindred Connection

Devon Trenkle

Redshirt junior Grayson Laurino and redshirt freshman Steven Laurino once again have the opportunity to play football alongside one another. The Laurino brothers were born native to Long Island, however, they moved to Boise, Idaho, not long after. Both young men had the privilege of playing on Boise State Turf while living there. Grayson played quarterback in high school, tallying 1400 passing yards and 500 rushing yards overall in his 07-08 season. Steven, as quarterback after Grayson left the program, tallied 1100 passing yards, 12 touch-downs and 500 rushing yards in the 08-09 season.

Interview with Grayson Laurino:

1.How long have you been playing football, and why did you begin playing?

I have been playing football since the 7th grade. I was able to watch my best friend’s football practice when I was in 6th grade, and, after that practice, I knew football was the sport for me.

2.What position did you play in high school?

I played quarterback.

3.Did you find it easy playing with your brother in high school?

In high school, Steve and I had a great connection on the field. It was very easy playing together because we knew what we were going to do on the field.

4.What made you decide to come play in New York as a walk-on, and was it difficult?

It was very difficult to come to New York as a walk-on. I left all of my friends and family in Idaho to come Post. I wanted to play football, and when the coaches at Post gave me the opportunity to walk on, I took it.

5.How did you feel when your brother committed to C.W. Post?

Steve had a very tough recruiting process, and I didn’t think he was going to come to Post. Everyone thought he was going to go play for Boise State. When I got the word he decided to come here, I was overwhelmed. I was relieved and happy at the same time. I knew he was going to be a great player for this program.

6.Would you say you and your brother share a connection on the field today?

Yes, we share a connection on the field, but right now, we need work. College is a lot different from high school. It’s not just pitch and catch anymore. It takes a lot more skill, communication, and hard work from the whole team to have a successful play.

Interview with Steven Laurino:

1. How long have you been playing football, and did your brother have an impact on you picking up a football for the first time?

I’ve been playing since 5th grade. Yes, he had an impact. We both played soccer, and we started considering football with our friends. We always played at school –  just never organized. If he didn’t make the switch, I wouldn’t have either.

2.  How do you feel now that you and your brother have flip-flopped positions in the transition from high school to college ball?

The whole flip-flop of positions came over a long period of time. I started playing quarter back when he left for college, and it took him almost two years to switch to wide receiver. So, we were both quarterbacks for a long time. He eventually switched to wide receiver, and I came into Post as a safety. Then, they switched me back to quarterback, and it wasn’t until people started mentioning it that we really noticed the irony.

3.  Do you feel you guys share the same connection on the field today as you did in Boise?

We are brothers, so there is always a connection, but, unlike [in] high school ball, this is a much more sophisticated game, and now, it isn’t so much a connection as it is just me reading the defense and getting the ball to the guy who gives us the best shot in that scenario.

4.  What made you decided to follow in your brother’s footsteps by coming to Post?

I didn’t really follow in his footsteps; I just got robbed of finishing his senior year with him because I broke my collarbone, and I wanted to play with him again. Whether or not we go on to the next level, I just wanted to have an experience that most people will never get, playing college ball with his brother. That, to me, was a bigger success than playing Division I.

5.  Do you and your brother motivate each other to become better players?

When it comes to motivation, I don’t think either of us buys into any of the cheesy brother stuff.  We both have a burning desire to be the greatest, and neither of us has to say a word to each other to make that fire burn. It’s in our blood, not our words.

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