Warrenton seniors Chris and Alex Vogt have been competing together on the football field since the age of 6.

Their battles off the field, however, go back even further.

“We definitely compete over everything,” Chris said. “There were quite a few holes in the walls and doors growing up. When it came to school, we’d see who could get the better grades, the better ACT score, and even a better score on the driver’s test.”

Even trips to buffets turn into 1-on-1 matches.

Alex prefers hot wings.

For Chris, it’s twice-baked potatoes.

“I can eat more,” Chris said with a laugh.

On the field, the duo will lead the Warrenton offensive line as the Warriors transition after losing standouts like Wyatt Wielms and Ruben Varnado to graduation.

Chris will start at left tackle while Alex starts at right guard.

“Last year we had Wyatt and Ruben so they stacked one side, but with younger guys on the line this year, they wanted to even it out,” Alex said. “We’re the experienced ones this year. Our first three years on the line we played with two- and three-year starters, so this is kind of our year to hold the reins a little bit. There is a lot of pressure there, especially being on the line because if one lineman messes up, the whole play is messed up.”

And although the brothers’ biggest responsibilities will come on the offensive side of the ball this year, it doesn’t mean they don’t like playing a little defense, too.

“Defense for sure,” Chris said when asked which side he prefers. “I have more of a defensive mindset and I can go hit somebody. With the offense we run, it’s more passive blocking and skill-work, and at defensive end you can just go get after it.”

Chris was second on the team last season with 51 tackles, and he led the Warriors with eight sacks.

Alex recovered four fumbles at defensive tackle, and both players think the experience will help them this season.

“We’re a little limited on depth, so everybody is playing on special teams and everybody is playing both ways,” Chris said. “It’s going to take some getting used to for some guys, but we’ve been running both sides since we started playing football. It will be interesting to see who steps up and goes four quarters.”

One thing both players agree on is the camaraderie that can be unique to a group of offensive linemen.

“We’ve gotten a lot better in the last few weeks and I think we’re going to become a really tight-knit group as the season goes on,” Alex said.

“The offensive line is a really close-knit group, and having somebody next to you that you grew up with helps a lot there.”

After the season, the brothers plan on extending their football career into college.

“We’re looking at Coe College (Cedar Rapids, Iowa), Central Missouri, Central Methodist, Milliken (Decatur, Ill.) and Grandview (Des Moines, Iowa), and we want to go to the same school or rival schools,” Chris said. “In college, he’ll most likely be offensive line and I’ll most likely be defensive line, so going head to head would be pretty good.”

Before those decisions need to be made, the brothers are guaranteed at least nine more games together.

“Once the line starts clicking really well,” Alex said, “I think we’ll be pretty unstoppable.”