Football fans under the age of 40 would have no recollection of the 1985 Doublemint chewing gum ad featuring twin spokeswomen spouting the slogan “double your pleasure, double your fun.” However, this year’s opponents of the South Williamsport football team are getting no pleasure from the twin experience presented by the Mounties junior double-trouble tandem of Colton and Kaiden Paulhamus, who have been instrumental to the team’s success.
Going into last Friday’s game, Colton led the team in tackles from his linebacker position while contributing two touchdowns, while Kaiden has split time between soccer and football, with kicking prowess making all 33 of his extra-point kicks.
This year’s South Williamsport team is small in numbers (some games with just 23 players in uniform), but the Paulhamus twins have continued to put a smile on coach Chris Eiswerth’s face.
“They are both tremendous athletes. Colton has been starting since his freshman year. He can really do it all. He can run, catch, and is a great tackler, leading the team. Kaiden has done a great job handling our kicking duties, and I believe he leads our area in extra-point kicking. While playing soccer, he manages to practice with us a couple of times a week. He has also spent extra time in the weight room, and that has really helped him. They are both great kids, and we’re blessed to have them,” Eiswerth noted.
“They are both young men of very few words. They are quiet guys who work very hard and are a huge part of this team. Personality-wise, they are reserved but come to play. They are consistent, they compete, and are a dream to coach.”
The brothers have been enjoying football since childhood.
“Ever since I was little, I’ve enjoyed throwing the football around with my dad and watching my cousin play high school football,” Colton explained. “It came to me just by the love of trying it.
“I love running the ball and running people over. Both positions involve hitting someone, and my strength gives me the opportunity to do that. Defense allows for a little more flexibility regarding coverage areas, going to the ball and tackling someone. At running back, you’re looking to hit the assigned hole and get as many yards as you can.
“The Friday Night Lights environment doesn’t really affect me whether we are playing home or away. My job is the same: get low and make sure I make the tackle and not let them get past me.
“When the season began, I was expecting to have a really good team. I know we were coming off some decent seasons in the past. This year, with the lifting program we have, I expected the team to be better than last year.
Experiencing a defensive player’s dream of intercepting a pass and running it back for a touchdown against Canton has been the highlight of Colton’s year, but as the season nears its end, he has other goals to accomplish.
“I’d like to exceed 50 tackles and get a couple more picks. That would be fun.”
Kicking has long been a part of Kaiden’s young life.
“I’ve been kicking since youth football. Kicking both soccer and football has really helped me develop strength in my legs. I’ve also enjoyed football, and when the team was looking for someone to kick during my sophomore year, I decided to go for it.
“Playing soccer has helped me get a lot of lift on my extra points and kickoffs. I am comfortable kicking, and the skill required for both sports has enabled me to develop more power in my kicks. The techniques of kicking in both sports are different, but they both improve when you are able to generate more power in your kicks.
“Kicking extra points is a routine. The first one is usually scary, but once I get past the first one and settle in throughout the game, my mindset is, here I am, I’m about to kick it, and it is going to go through the uprights. Caleb Johnson is my holder, and we have very good trust with each other. I know as soon as the ball is snapped that he will get it down for a good hold. If something goes wrong, there is nothing I can do about it, and that doesn’t bother me when the next kick comes around.
“This football season has been fun, and I’ve really enjoyed the experiences and good times we’ve had in our new performance center weight room with all the guys. It has been an improvement for every single person; strength-wise, conditioning-wise, and the team camaraderie we’ve all experienced.
“We are getting close to the playoffs, and I hope I can keep my streak going, making all my extra points. Next year, I’ll be working on getting touchbacks with my kickoffs, and I’d like to be able to make 50-yard field goals. I haven’t had any field goal opportunities this season but want to be ready when that chance comes.”
Brotherly rivalry does exist between the two.
“Playing with Kaiden is a little weird,” Colton admitted. “We’re both competitive and play on the same team, each one trying to be the best of the two. I’m a few minutes older, so that gives me some bragging rights.”
