'Close' is a word Jamal Tyler and Jerante Hood, the running backs for the Rock Hill Bearcats, understand well.
They usually walk to and from the practice field together.
Tyler wears No. 26 and Hood 28, which confuses anyone trying to keep up with which back is on the field.
They are so similar in size, their running styles are so alike, and the numbers so similar, Bearcats coach Joe Montgomery said he has a hard time picking out which has the ball when he watches game video.
Montgomery considered switching one to another number but decided to stay with what they were wearing.
At practice, Hood wears 46 and Tyler 45. It goes on and on.
Coach, here's a clue. Tyler wears red receiver's gloves. Hood wears white.
That they are so close as friends is a testament to their team-first attitudes. Hood was Rock Hill's starting tailback last season. Tyler, a junior in his first season as a Bearcat, has taken away some of Hood's carries.
Last Friday, Tyler became the first Rock Hill runner to break 1,000 yards since Travis Neely in 2004. He has 152 carries for 1,068 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Hood, a senior, has carried 82 times for 297 yards and seven TDs.
The range gap in numbers were not enough to convince the North-South Game coaches that Hood wasn't deserving of a spot on their team. He will play for the North squad at Myrtle Beach High School on Dec. 13.
"We are tight,'' Hood said. "There is no jealousy involved by either of us. He's getting the carries and has earned them. My job is to stay ready and make the most of my opportunities.''
The combo has helped lead the Bearcats to a 9-1 record and the No. 5 ranking in this week's McClatchy Class AAAA Prep Writers Poll.
Their assignment tonight is 10-0 South Pointe at District Three Stadium, a game for the Region 4-AAAA championship.
Montgomery found this year's quarterbacks, Jatavius Stewart and Randall Dixon, throwing a football during physical education class.
He discovered Tyler while watching him take part in a nutrition class outside.
"His class was playing touch football, and I noticed this really fast kid,'' Montgomery said. "I walked up and told him he should be playing football and invited him to attend spring practice.
"We would have had him last season, but Jamal is shy and timid. We wish we would have known about his earlier.''
Tyler, 5-10, 165 pounds, moved to Rock Hill from Aiken in his sophomore year and enrolled at Rock Hill just before classes started. He wanted to play football but felt, because preseason practice had been going on for close to a month, it was too late.
Montgomery said: "If only he'd asked.''
"I played on the JV team at Aiken my freshman season and was moved to the varsity for the playoffs,'' Tyler said. "I didn't get to play, but it was a good experience.
"After sitting out last year, I realized how much I missed playing. I was going to try out anyway, but when coach Montgomery asked me to come out, it was special.''
Hood is the same height as Tyler, but is 15 pounds heavier at 180. Tyler is the more elusive runner. He is hard to bring down because his legs are always churning. He reminds some folks of former Bearcats' runner Leonard Moore.
Speed is Hood's specialty. If he gets to the corner, defenders best get ready to chase.
"It's fun to watch Jamal run because he makes plays,'' Hood said. "He's good at turning nothing into something, a strength every good runner has. We feel the same way. It doesn't matter who's carrying the ball as long as it's helping the team.''
"They are good kids and good players,'' Montgomery said. "We are fortunate to have them.''
