They share the offensive workload and are a complete nightmare for opponents to defend, but that's pretty much where the similarities between Red Bank's dynamic duo of Zay Brown and Calvin Jackson end.
From their off-the-field personalities to the way they attack defenses, the players who make up the talented 1-2 punch are almost complete opposites.
"Zay is a quiet kid who just shows up to practice every day and gives you all-out effort all the time," Lions coach Chad Grabowski said. "He's so strong, runs with an attitude and doesn't mind contact. Calvin is a big play waiting to happen. He's a talker, and even in the hallways at school, people are just drawn to him because he's so outgoing.
"They complement each other, and we're really lucky to have them both. It's pick your poison with those two."
As Red Bank travels to take on Sweetwater tonight in a key Region 3-3A matchup - both teams are 4-1 overall, 2-0 in the league - Brown and Jackson have accounted for 1,430 of the team's 1,811 yards of offense and 20 of the 22 offensive touchdowns.
Brown's longest run last season was 36 yards, but after focusing on improving his leg strength during the offseason, the 5-foot-11, 185-pound senior already has five runs of more than 50 yards and leads the team in explosive plays (runs of 12 or more yards) on his way to 719 rushing yards, which leads the team this season.
"The thing that stands out about Zay is how patient he is," Lions offensive coordinator Drew Akins said. "He has a natural ability to allow his blocking to set up and then hits the hole really hard and fast. He's the unsung hero of our offense. Zay wants to be successful but doesn't want the spotlight."
Jackson amassed more than 2,000 total yards as the team's quarterback last year, helping the Lions earn eight wins and the region championship. But by the second half of the season, opponents were stacking nine defenders near the line of scrimmage to seal off potential running lanes for both backs - and after a second-round playoff loss, coaches decided to change the 6-foot, 180-pounder's role.
Talented sophomore Madox Wilkey took over at quarterback in the offseason, while the versatile Jackson has played all four receiver positions as well as running back and is averaging 15 yards per touch while totaling close to 800 yards so far. He has also returned two kicks for scores this season.
"Madox is a really good quarterback, so having him step up there allows me to move around and that opens up our whole offense," said the charismatic Jackson, who has already drawn recruiting interest from Duke, Wake Forest, Georgia Tech, Tennessee, Mississippi State and Navy. "The way we can run and throw the ball now is giving other teams a real problem, and for me, it doesn't matter where I play as long as I'm on the field helping my team.
"Me and Zay are pretty different, but I feel like that's what makes us so tough to stop. He keeps to himself mostly, and I'm definitely more of an outgoing people person. He's a physical runner with good speed, and I like to get the ball in space more. Both styles work for us."
The pair may be diametric off the field, but they've become dynamic in the same backfield. Two years ago, before Brown and Jackson were combining to torch opposing defenses, Red Bank averaged just 11 points per game. The Lions doubled that output last year and now have one of the most electric offenses in the state, having scored an average of 38.6 points per game this season.
"Their different styles are part of what makes them tough to defend," Central coach Cortney Braswell said. "Zay gets better as the game goes because he's such a strong kid and is great after contact. In the fourth quarter when you're protecting a lead or trying to get something going, he does a great job of getting positive yardage.
"Calvin creates matchup problems no matter where he lines up, and you'd better know where he is before the ball is snapped. They can both make you pay if you don't because they can take it to the house on any play."
Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293. Follow him on Twitter @StephenHargis.