Photo credit: Teresa Brooks)
By Kyle Roberts
Hearing the name “Anding” has to be sending shivers down spines all over the state of Louisiana.
Most everyone in this area (and beyond) is getting more and more familiar with senior all-star cornerback Aidan Anding. In fact, last week in the 2024 Bayou Jamb against Neville, Aidan intercepted two passes, returned one for a touchdown, and ran the game winning kickoff back for a touchdown.
But on Friday nights this fall, it could spell double-trouble for opposing offenses with not one, but two Andings in the secondary as Aidan will be joined by little brother Jayden, a sophomore starting at free safety.
With just a few days to go before the 2024 season officially kicks off, Aidan said he is excited for the chance to line up with his brother.
“This is a good thing, man,” Aidan said. “It’s good for me and our family. We’ve grown up playing together, so getting the chance to play on a higher level and compete with each other against other teams — it’s a blessing.”
Talking to Jayden, it’s easy to see that he’s just as excited.
“It’s amazing to play with my older brother,” Jayden said. “This is one of my father’s dream — I’ve been looking forward to it, and I can learn a lot from him.”
For their mother Candace, it will be a chance for fans to see the real Aidan and Jayden — and just how close the two are, both on the field and off.
“There’s hardly ever a time when they’re fighting, arguing, or disrespectful to each other,” Candace said. “What people will see in public on the field is truly their genuine relationship. It’s authentic, brotherly love and who they are.”
Candace has seen that brotherly love push each other in a positive way. She talked about many times when they would be thinking about the other when it came time to make decisions about what the future would hold for them both sports-wise.
“Aidan actually had some reservations about going back to playing basketball this year,” Candace said. “But I told him that Jayden was watching him and needed an opportunity — Jayden may not have played if Aidan had decided not to. It was the same for Aidan returning to football (last year) — he made his decision while considering his brother getting an opportunity. It was Jayden’s passion for football that I believe helped pushed Aidan to get back in.”
Bearcat head coach Jerrod Baugh understands the brotherly dynamic on the gridiron – as offensive starters back in the mid-90’s for West Ouachita, Baugh was under center for the Chiefs with his younger brother Duston lined up behind him at fullback.
“It was a special time for us,” Baugh said about playing with his younger brother. “You think back and you share all that time, then you don’t know at the moment how special it is. You share all that time at home — My brother and I did a lot of fighting back when we were younger — but you’re able to share some things in a different environment. There’s times where brothers aren’t talking to each other any other time, but then you have to come out (to the field) and be able to communicate.
“I think they’ll look back on it, and it’ll be a really special time for them. Their athletic ability speaks for itself for what they can do on the field. Jayden being a first-year starter will be able to lean on his big brother.”
Ruston High defensive backs coach Kenny Wright has seen their dynamic already working in the offseason and through the two scrimmages.
“Their relationship is great, and they communicate well,” Wright said. “You can tell they have a real relationship and it just carries on the field. It just naturally goes together. And Aidan — he’s been such a big part of helping Jayden develop. It’s been great coaching them both. I’ve been teasing (Candace) for years; even when Aidan left to play basketball, I kept telling her there was a chance they’d be starting in the secondary together. And it came true.”
“ou know, it’s actually kind of funny with Jayden being a free safety and Aidan being a corner: on defense, it’s the free safety that usually overshadows the corner. So now you have the younger brother looking out for the older brother.”
How will big brother handle that dynamic? Like a professional, of course.
“At the end of the day, it’s going to be a good learning experience for me,” Aidan said. “Throughout life, you’ll have to listen to somebody who’s younger than you, but they know more than you, and you have to listen to them. He may be my little brother, but I’ll listen to what he has to say when we’re in coverage.”
And that’s something Jayden does not take lightly.
“It’s business,” Jayden said with a smile that could only come from a little brother. “We have to do our job. But I l do like the idea of keeping him in check.”
And in the stands there will be a very proud and happy mother in Candace watching her babies get business done this season.
When asked what advice she’d offer to parents who may have siblings playing together, she offered great advice for parents of all stripes.
“If I had to encourage other parents, I’d tell them to love their children and be supportive of their dreams,” Candace said. “And I encourage my children to always play with passion and to know that you’re supporting all of your brothers. Because the moment you stop playing with passion and love for the game, then emotions might set you back. Don’t play with your emotions — play with your passion.”
You can expect the Andings (and the entire Bearcat football team, for that matter) to do just that.
