Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Magazine stars divide, conquer
FAYETTEVILLE — The Chambers twins’ last high school go-around will happen separately.
Cory and Ryan Chambers helped put Magazine athletics on the map, combining to revitalize the school’s downtrodden football program by winning the 2010 Class 2A title while also starring in basketball, baseball and track and field. They both made the West team for this week’s Arkansas High School Coaches Association All-Star games but not in the same sport.
Cory, a wide receiver, made the football team, while Ryan was named to the baseball team.
“It’ll be the first time I’ve ever played wide receiver with a different quarterback,”
Cory said. “I’m so used to Ryan being back there.”
It’s amazing that Ryan even has a chance to play in an AllStar game after breaking his right leg during football season. The severe injury — both bones in the lower leg were snapped when he was tackled — was expected to end his high school career since doctors told him full recovery would take 18 months.
“It’s a big deal for me,” Ryan said. “I’m just happy to be able to play in the baseball game.”
Ryan returned about five months after his injury to play in three basketball games and then limped through the baseball season. Even at 70 percent, Ryan thrived, going 12-0 as a pitcher and hitting .479 with 2 home runs and 34 RBI.
“We took it easy on him early,” said Magazine baseball Coach Randy Lloyd, who is the West’s head coach this week. “We played him at first base a lot. He was willing to play through the pain.”
Cory was blocking down field when Danville’s Blake Noakes clipped Ryan’s right foot while tackling him at the end of a 23-yard run. The run gave Ryan 202 yards rushing in the game, but the injury sank the Rattlers’ chance of repeating as Class 2A state football champions.
“It was the worst thing I have seen,” Cory said. “I heard it, but I didn’t know what it was. Then I saw him laying there with his leg like that, and it didn’t look right at all.”
Cory said he never doubted his brother would return for baseball but even he was surprised when Ryan played in three basketball games at the end of the season. Ryan scored eight points in his first game but opponents quickly capitalized on his lack of mobility.
“They figured out I couldn’t run or move so they put a guy close to me,” Ryan said. “I couldn’t do anything.”
The brothers will attend Arkansas Tech next year as invited walk-ons in football and baseball. Ryan said he will redshirt in football to allow his leg to heal more, and the brothers know they will eventually have to decide which sport to focus on in college.
They didn’t have to worry about that at Magazine, where the twins fueled a remarkable run for the once-struggling Rattlers. The Chambers brothers were members of a stout class that led Magazine to a three-year football record of 38-3 as well as postseason success in basketball and baseball.
Both brothers admit that one of their first goals in athletics is to one-up the other.
“I have always just wanted to beat him, and he has always wanted to beat me,” Cory said.
This week, they’ll have to settle for just competing against the East.