MORGANTOWN — In order for a team to function at the highest level, players need to work together as a close, cohesive unit.
So do families.
For some members of the University High football team, the “band of brothers” mentality is taken quite literally — on the field and at home.
Senior leaders Trey Blunt and Melique Lewis have the unique opportunity of playing alongside their younger brothers. Lewis’ younger brother is freshman Kaleil Lewis and Blunt’s younger brothers are junior Kylan Blunt and sophomore Keltin Blunt.
“We’ve never actually played together before this season, we always missed each other by one year for any team,” Melique Lewis said. “I explained to him when he was in eighth grade that he would have a chance to start as a freshman and it would be our only opportunity to play on the same team, ever. So he took that information and did what he did and got his chance to start.”
Kaleil is one of University’s top receivers in just his first year of varsity football.
“Playing at the high school level is very fun to me,” Kaleil said. “I really like the competition people give me. I also love how hard my peers on the football team are on me to constantly get better because they never let me slack off on a play.”
No Hawk teammate is harder on him than his older brother. That includes now, and all their years growing up together. Whether it be on the football field, basketball court, baseball diamond, or running around the track, there was always heated competition for the Lewis brothers.
Slacking off was never accepted.
“It was never taken easy on him,” Melique said. “He always wanted me to play to the fullest extent even though it wasn’t fair for him. I started to notice he was getting good when he was in seventh grade. He started to get bigger than everyone, for real, and even taller than me. He just started dominating in everything.”
That sense of household competition has been alive for years in the Blunt household as well.
“During my upbringing, I certainly had to adjust my intensity when playing with my brothers, but when it came to working out and practicing, I gave it my all,” Trey Blunt said. “I could see them coming into their own during their freshman years, first with Kylan and now with Keltin.”
The three Blunt brothers are all currently in the starting defensive lineup for the Hawks. Keltin said it’s “astonishing,” especially for him getting to play at the varsity level at such a young age.
“The surreal feeling of sharing the field with two of my older siblings is truly remarkable,” he said.
The Blunts’ oldest brother, Calvin Jr., is currently on the track and field team at Wheeling University. Speed runs in the family as their father, Calvin Sr., owns and operates Team6Blunt Speed Training, specializing in improving athletes’ linear and lateral speed, quickness, agility and sport-specific position work.
“Recognizing that I was younger than Calvin Jr. and Trey, I recognized that I had to take advantage of opportunities to train more and excel,” Kylan said. “I was always driven to improve my athletic abilities. I had to adapt quickly because my chance arrived sooner than expected.”
Kylan said the work ethic for sports, but more importantly academics, was instilled in them from a young age by their father and mother, Tenitsha. With four young boys all taking part in sports and other activities, they still made it a priority to see them play wherever games took them.
“When one of us had a game at a different location, we can always count on at least one of them being there to cheer us on,” Kylan said. “Their unwavering support means a lot to us. They are effective teachers and ensure that we understand the fundamentals thoroughly. Their guidance has not only shaped us into better student-athletes but also better individuals.”
The memories being made this season will last a lifetime for the brothers as they go on to bigger and better things.
Trey said his favorite memory of playing with his brothers has been this year’s 17-14 win over Wheeling Park. Kylan’s favorite memory actually happened a few years ago for Calvin Jr.’s senior night at Trinity Christian. Trey also played for the Warriors’ then and Kylan said just being on the field with his whole family together is something he will always cherish.
Kaleil Lewis’ favorite memory also involves his entire family, and it happened nearly 14 years ago.
“When I was 2 years old, I got to play in an organized basketball game with Melique and four of my older cousins,” Kaleil said. “We won, but all I know is I loved playing sports with my family.”
One of the Lewis’ cousins is also a University football player, junior Ethan Jackson. He is the son of former WVU player Wes Jackson. Melique and Kaleil are the sons of Tara Jackson and former WVU player Sedrick Lewis. Their uncle, Rick Martin, played for WVU in the 1960s and they are cousins by marriage to former Mountaineers Mike Logan and Benjamin Cureton.
Friendships formed by teammates coming together from all walks of life are special, but playing together with brothers by blood is particularly noteworthy.
“My brothers have been significant sources of support. I’ve learned a great deal from observing and emulating their actions in various situations,” Keltin Blunt said. “They constantly offer feedback, pointing out my strengths and weaknesses, and consistently inspire me to perform to the best of my abilities.
“As the youngest sibling, I’ve always acknowledged that someone in the family excelled beyond me, which served as a strong motivator for me to pursue my own path. My competitive spirit has been a constant driving force and that trait runs deep within our household.”
BY MATTHEW PEASLEE
