Sports
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WESTSIDE’S TRIPLE THREAT IS A BROTHERHOOD
Football’s family of Rezacs has made a huge impact on the 2021 team
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Dom
rotherhood. According to Google, and go get it and to really love the sport. Both of helped him become the player he is today. it means the relationship between my brothers definitely and my mom have been “Dom has been toughening me up my whole a group of brothers. To three athletes at supporters, but No. 1 is probably my dad.” life, being bigger, so that helped a lot,” Teddy said. Westside High School, it means something DJ played on the Westside football team as “Going up to the field with Anthony and playing a little different. a linebacker in the late 1980’s, earning all-state catch, running routes also made me a better player.” The Rezac brothers, sophomore twins honors twice (in 1987 and 1988.) As a result of Since the three brothers have grown-up playing Teddy and Anthony, along with senior Dominic, their on-field successes, DJ and Dominic are the football, life around the Rezac household has been grew up around football. Never did they think, only father and son duo to be recognized on the very hectic during the football season. however, that they would all be playing together Champion’s Plaza at Westside’s Phelps Stadium “Everything just kinda revolves around our ac on the WHS varsity team. for football. games and practices,” said Dominic who will Now that all three are playing on the Westside “Dominic was an all-state player last year, and I continue his football career at the Air Force Academy varsity football team this fall, Dominic said he was an all-state player when I played in the 80’s,” DJ next fall. “Carly (Dominic’s twin sister) and Vinnie (the doesn’t just have three blood brothers on the team. said. “That’s a huge, tremendous source of pride for our youngest of the Rezac brothers) definitely had to bear Instead, he goes onto the field each day and night family, because my dad used to coach [at Westside] in more of a burden during the fall, kinda taking the back competing with 60 other brothers (his teammates.) the 70’s. That kinda lineage is cool for us to continue seat. It’s been better this year, with three of us being on the “I take everyone in and treat everyone like brothers,” and be a part of.” same team, but it’s definitely not calm.” Dominic said. “It’s really unique for me just because I Additionally, DJ and Dominic are, or were, As the Warriors prepare to defend the Class A state have my actual blood brothers on the team that I get to record holders at WHS. Dominic set the school championship they won in 2020, Anthony said the Rezac play with. But I also have 60 other brothers I get single-game rushing record when he ran for 308 brothers are confident that this year’s team can add more to go play with every Friday night. We talk about Teddy Rezac yards against Papillion-La Vista South on Sept. hardware to the trophy case at Westside High School. brotherhood a lot as a program and it’s definitely 17th, while DJ set the school record for the highest batting “One of my goals is to win multiple state one of the best qualities of the program and it’s awesome average at Westside in 1989. He held that record for 25 championships,” Anthony said. “That should be the goal being a part of it” years (until 2014), when Jake Meyers, a former Husker for everyone on the team. Obviously, another goal is to get The three Rezac brothers have made significant baseball player and current outfielder for the Houston a scholarship to go play football somewhere, but my top contributions to Westside’s on-field success this season. Astros, broke it. priority is to win here at Westside.” Dominic, a running back, has rushed for a team-leading “When Dom set the record, just to think back about Brotherhood. It’s something DJ said 1,163 yards and 14 touchdowns, while Teddy, a defensive and how many games have been played and that he had the Warrior football community back, intercepted two passes (returning one for a pick-six) the most rushing yards, the feeling that I can think of is thrives on and takes great pride in. during a 28-3 season-opening win over Creighton Prep, grateful,” DJ said. “Grateful for all the great coaches and “In our football culture, we talk and Anthony, a quarterback, ran for 76 yards and passed teammates he’s had and the fact that he has stayed healthy. about being brothers with everyone for 124 more in the first varsity game he ever played in. Grateful that he has the God-given ability to go out and that has played here,” DJ said. “I “It felt amazing,” Teddy said of his two-interception compete. Afterwards, as a family, we were all very grateful played here in ‘86 through ‘89, so performance against the Junior Jays. “I didn’t think I’d for the Westside Community.” I am their (the Rezac brothers) father, have that good of a game. I just kinda went in with the Multiple timec this season, Anthony and Dominic have but I am also their Warrior brother. mindset to do my job and I did a little more than that.” had special moments on the field where Anthony hands-off They are blood brothers, but Throughout their childhood years, the Rezac brothers or passes the ball to his older brother. Anthony said it’s they are also Warrior brothers. have been surrounded by the game of football. From an exhilarating feeling to have that moment with his older Wa t c h i n g Anthony and Te d d y being included and playing the sport in their house, to watching old game-day brother under the lights. with Dom and his videos of their father DJ Rezac, the game of football was “It’s great giving Dom the ball to score and help the accepted makes it really cool. It indoctrinated into each of them. team,” Anthony said. “Whether it’s throwing him the ball, class, like an honor rather “It’s hard to say, but it’s probably my dad [who serves or just handing it to him, it’s exhilarating to be on the field i s than an obligation.” as the Rezac brothers’ inspiration to play football],” with him when it’s happening. It’s just a great feeling.” c Anthony said. “He’s pushed me and Teddy to compete Teddy said that his brothers made him tougher and a z Ant ho
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story by Jordan Nogg and Grace Vandercoy, design by Jasmine Palikhya, photos by Zoe Gillespie
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The Lance
