The Greene brothers have been double trouble for Warrenton football opponents for years.

Seniors Markel and Marcus, both members of the Warriors’ offensive and defensive lines, have helped the Warriors (6-3) win the game in the trenches.

Markel, who is four minutes older than his ‘younger’ brother, and Marcus have aided the Warrenton running game, which scored a pair of rushing touchdowns in the team’s 21-14 home win over Borgia to close out the regular season. They also did plenty of work to keep the Knights from gaining any traction on the ground.

For everything the duo has done on the field, Warrenton Coach Jason Koper added that they’re better people than they’re athletes.

“Any time you get two players of that quality – big, strong, physical kids – (it’s great),” Koper said. “Even more than players, they’re great young men. They’re the type of players you want to have on your team. They’re going to be leaders. They’re going to lead in the right way. It’s just a blessing to have those two guys and we’ve had them for four years.”

Markel, the 6-foot, 270-pound guard/defensive end, and Marcus, who is a 6-2, 290 guard/tackle, have helped Warrenton win three straight games and four of five headed into the team’s Class 4 District 3 quarterfinal at Hannibal at 7 p.m. on Friday.

Behind the men up front, Warrenton has scored 200 points, or an average of 40 points in the previous five contests.

“It means a lot to me, especially that I can do it with my brother, and I wouldn’t want to fight in the trenches with any other o-line than the one I’m with,” Markel said. “They are hard-working and amazing people.”

On defense, Marcus is among the leaders with 31 total tackles, while he’s added a pair of sacks. Markel has added six tackles and a sack.

Marcus said no one really separates the twins because the other is never far behind.

“I would say we’re pretty close with everything we do,” Marcus said. “We’ve always done stuff together growing up and when one of us is there, someone will always ask where the other is because we’ve always been close as twins.”

Adding another layer to the family dynamic, the pair’s younger brother, junior Joe Greene, also plays for the Warriors.

Marcus said that where there’s one, there’s usually three, actually.

“Joe has been with us there the whole time too, so it honestly feels like we’re triplets a lot of times,” Marcus said. “I’m so happy to be able to play with them both this year, and I can’t wait to see what they do with their talent.”

Just like they’ve been there for family, the Greenes have been there for their team.

It’s something they have no plans to stop anytime soon, either.

“Warrenton football means dedication, hard work and (to) be there for each and every one of your teammates,” Markel said. “(We) stand up for one another on the field.”

Markel said he and Marcus will keep standing up for each other, no matter what the future holds. 

Both would love to keep playing in college, but nothing is set in stone yet, not even whether they'll keep playing together.

“It adds more amazing memories to win with family members, and I have played with my brother since day one,” Markel said. “I think we’ll take different paths but somehow still end up close to one another.”