Although they are twins, Devoris and Javoris Havis are more a reflection of their father than each other.
Born two minutes apart — Devoris is older and bigger, which leads Javoris to joke “I was hanging back, still eating, trying to catch up to his size” — the gifted pair are a key part of the group of athletes who have helped Chattanooga Christian School’s football program close the gap on the top teams in TSSAA Division II-AA.
The fourth-ranked Chargers (7-1, 5-0 East Region) can equal the most wins in program history by taking care of business against winless Republic on Friday, and they can earn their first region title when they travel to second-ranked and unbeaten Knoxville Webb next week.
“When we first got here, I think I was bigger than every offensive lineman we had,” said Javoris, a 6-foot-2, 212-pound running back. “I had played defensive line, but they moved me to running back right before our first varsity game. I was so nervous, but Daddy told me before the game to just run angry because people won’t like hitting me because of my size. I ran for more than 100 yards in that first game, and things just kind of took off from there.”
Neither of the twins wanted to play football as kids, but when they were 9 years old their dad, Lavoris, signed them up, then began coaching them up in the backyard and on the car rides home after practice.