Wherever Jaxon Flemmons is, there's a pretty good chance Jeremiah Flemmons is right there with him. Flip the brothers' names in that scenario, and the same is true.
Whether throwing the football around, working out together, playing video games or spending time with friends and family, the East Hamilton High School juniors are grateful for a bond that started through sports and became something much bigger.
"Our friendship started when we were young. I started playing football with Jaxon when I was 6 years old, and ever since we have been good friends," Jeremiah said. "We are brothers on and off the field."
Jaxon enjoys beating Jeremiah the majority of the time in "Madden NFL 20" despite having to use a lesser team against Jeremiah's favored Baltimore Ravens, whose quarterback, Lamar Jackson, is his favorite athlete.
They share a love of not only football but basketball. Jaxon, a 6-foot guard, was recently in the gym working on alley-oop feeds to Jeremiah (6-3, 180 pounds), who became his brother in a more official manner when Jaxon's parents, Jeremy and Ashley, gained legal custody of Jeremiah when he was in third grade
"Me and Jeremiah have a great relationship," Jaxon said. "We do everything together, and we are always there for each other. If something goes wrong, he is there for me. That goes both ways. We've always been tight and had each other's backs like that."
Staff photo by Robin Rudd / East Hamilton's Jeremiah Flemmons, with ball, reverses direction to score his second touchdown during a game at Hixson on Oct. 8.Both have been versatile talents for East Hamilton's football program, which they aspire to help lead to a Region 2-4A championship this season.
In a season-opening 34-7 win over Signal Mountain, Jeremiah rushed for 106 yards on four carries, completed a well-thrown slant pass for 15 yards and caught a pass for 7 yards.
While filling in for standout starting quarterback Haynes Eller, who missed the Hurricanes' game against East Ridge due to COVID-19 contact tracing, Jeremiah showed what he could do at the prominent position, completing eight passes for 131 yards and a touchdown to Kaunyae Burgans and rushing 10 times for 118 yards and two scores.
In a runaway win over Sequoyah, Jeremiah had 171 all-purpose yards in the first half and four touchdowns, including a catch he took 96 yards to score on a slant pass from Eller. With a strong arm, vision and quickness, Jeremiah has been able to stand out in many ways and has scored 13 touchdowns this season for the Hurricanes (6-2, 4-0).
"Jeremiah is a great athlete, and I love watching him excel," Jaxon said. "He is everywhere on the field, and not many can stop him in space. I think he is going to make for a great quarterback, too, next year. He is always talking about what it would be like if we connect for a touchdown pass together."
After helping signal play calls from the sideline last year, Jaxon's contributions have increased on the field. He is a part of nearly every special teams play and has also spent time at wide receiver and safety.
When the pandemic shut down regular school and sports late last winter, neither brother wasted the chance to prepare for bigger roles this fall.
"We spent a lot of time training together since school was stopped in March," Jeremiah said. "Hard work has pushed us to the point we are at right now, and we know there is even more we are capable of. Jaxon impresses me because he is a hard worker and never stops."
East Hamilton can secure the 2-4A title with a win Friday night against three-time reigning champion Anderson County (6-2, 4-0), - 22-0 against league foes since joining the region - which would allow the Hurricanes to celebrate in a fashion they haven't since 2012.
No matter the outcome, though, the Flemmons will be there for one another and their teammates.
"I am grateful for my family at East Hamilton and at home," Jeremiah said. "They are always by my side. They support, encourage me and are always in my corner. Having people like that around you makes you just want to push and work harder."
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon.