Family is a term coined regularly throughout Seminole Chieftain athletics. The football team speaks of brotherhood and protecting one another. Seminole basketball shouts, “family”, when breaking the huddle, and the word can even be seen across their pre-game warmup shirts. Track and Field Coach, Bobby Sanford, says, “We run as one, work as a team, and finish as a family.” Chieftain athletes, Lantz and Joe Fixico, however, take Seminole’s ‘family tradition’ a bit more literally.

Lantz, a junior, and Joe, a sophomore, both participate in football, basketball, and track. This football season, the brothers have tag-teamed to help lead Seminole to a 4-0 start. In the Chieftain opener, Joe blocked a punt in the first quarter and reached paydirt on a tough run in the fourth to seal a perfect start to the season. The following week, Lantz scampered 60 yards after the catch to the house in a 19-15 victory over Harrah. The two have continued to succeed in the Chieftain offense and have also anchored the defense throughout Seminole’s flawless campaign. The resilient brothers start on offense, defense, and special teams for Seminole. However, toughness and perseverance are not new to the Fixico duo.

From an early age, their grandfather, “pops”, and father instilled character and hard work in the young men. Lantz said, “My pops, he always pushed me to do better at everything in life in general. My dad, he pretty much did the same thing.” The younger of the two brothers echoed his older brother’s sentiment stating, “My pops, he was the best he could be. Really, he taught us to be the best men we could be.” The Fixicos idolize athletes that display similar qualities to their relatives. Joe selected Kobe Bryant as his role model due to his “never quit” mentality, while Lantz chose Lebron James due to his work ethic.

The two have always played well together, but, like many, sibling rivalry has reigned supreme in their competitions. “It’s about bragging rights,” Lantz said. Joe agreed saying, “We compete all the time. Even if you see us playing a video game, I’m going to try to be better than him and he’s going to try to be better than me.” Their competitiveness extends to the gridiron as well. “We feed off each other. It’s a competition [to see] who’s going to be the bigger brother, or better brother,” Lantz proclaimed. Joe noted that regardless of the gravity of the situation they would compete, saying, “Who’s going to get more tackles, the bigger hit, little stuff.”

Ultimately, their competitiveness pales in comparison to their love and trust for each other, and the joy they find playing alongside each other. “Not very many people get to say, ‘I played with my brother my whole high school career,’” the younger Fixico stated. The brothers made it clear that they trusted each other fully on the field, Joe saying, “I trust that he’s going to go out there and make a play when it’s needed.” Lantz spoke of how special playing with brother is, allowing, “The fact that we get to wear Seminole across our chest, both of us at the same time, that means a lot.” They each uttered their appreciation to each other, Joe saying, “He really just holds me accountable… I don’t want to let him down,” and Lantz saying, “He always pushes me, and he always holds me accountable too.” Lantz summed up the way they play for each other by expressing, “We are always going to give each other our best.” In addition to playing for each other Joe stated, “I play for the man above and my family,” and Lantz reiterated saying, “[I play for] my family, my dad, and God Himself.”

The two touched briefly on their desires for this season. They want to bring a state championship home to Seminole, Joe saying the goal is, “a gold ball, nothing less.” They also shared that they want to achieve special things as a duo. Lantz said, “We want to make a name for ourselves.” Joe added, “I want to be known as two of the best brothers to play.” They both agreed that something special is in the air for this season. Joe said, “Pregame, it’s a different feeling in that locker room.” Lantz added, “[This year] we have a better chance at doing better things.”

At the conclusion of the interview, the brothers gave a message for their student body and community. They believe that the support this year has been phenomenal, and they want that to continue. Joe went as far as to say, “It brings energy to our games, hypes us up, and plays a big role in if we win or lose.” Lantz echoed saying, “It helps us out on the field knowing we got people there supporting us and cheering us on. It makes us want to go get it more.”

Seminole’s next game is Homecoming on Friday, September 24, against Stigler. The Fixico brothers, along with the rest of the Chieftains, look to keep their winning streak alive and pursue that coveted state championship. Lantz (#23) and Joe (#26) will be back in action this Friday night, leading the Chieftain squad and enjoying the game they love.