Penn Hills brothers impressive tandem
For as long as they can remember, Julian and Jaden Dugger have competed againsteach other and pushed each other in everything they do.
From footraces to video games to playing sports like football and basketball, the talented brothers from Penn Hills have always battled each other for bragging rights. Last year, though, the tables finally turned, as they got the chance to join forces and play on the same football team for the first time.
Julian put together a standout freshman season at quarterback while Jaden served as one of his favorite receiving targets. The Indians faced a brutal schedule and finished the regular season 4-3 before getting shut out by Gateway en route to a first-round playoff exit. Now with a year of varsity experience together, expectations are soaring around Penn Hills as the Duggers prepare for their last ride together as teammates.
“Growing up, we were very competitive,” Julian said. “We were really close. People always thought we were twins, because we were always around each other.”
Julian is a 6-foot-2, 180pound sophomore with a smooth left-handed release and the arm strength to make every throw on the field. As a freshman, he completed 62 of 129 passes for 895 yards with five touchdowns and four interceptions in eight games.
Not only is he a superb pocket passer, Julian is also one of the Indians’ fastest players on the team. He didn’t use his legs to make plays often last season, but he said he plans on showcasing his dualthreat ability more this season — even while returning from a broken tibia he sustained while playing basketball in February.
“It was very painful,” Julian said. “I was scared and nervous. I thought I wasn’t going to be able to play football this year, but I’m happy I am. … I think it made me stronger, just because you have to work hard. If you really want something, you’ve got to work hard.”
At 6 feet 4, 195 pounds, Jaden is one of the most impressive physical specimens of any receiver in the WPIAL. He only caught nine passes for 106 yards last year, but all signs are pointing to a major increase in targets and production for the senior in 2021.
“I’d say I did pretty good last year, but it could have been better,” Jaden said. “I got way better in the offseason. … This year I’m more of a leader. I’ve just been trying to lead the team without the coach asking. Less stuff for the coaches to have to worry about.”
While Jaden has the prototypical frame and athleticism for a top wideout, he said he actually prefers playing defense to offense. He will start at cornerback for Penn Hills again this season, where he’ll look to use his size and length to jam opposing receivers at the line of scrimmage and outleap them when the ball is in the air.
Jaden has already received scholarship offers from Toledo, Fordham and Duquesne, and he said he’s receiving some interest from Power Five schools as well, including Pitt.
“I think I can play a lot of positions,” Jaden said. “I can move around anywhere, honestly. Anywhere the coaches need me. But I think I’ll be pretty good at corner at the next level.”
Some wondered whether Julian would make it back in time for the start of the season after breaking his leg in February. Doctors gave him a recovery timetable of six to eight months, which could have pushed his return back as far as October. Instead, Julian has exceeded expectations, and he was cleared for full contact before the start of the Indians’ preseason camp.
“It was hard, just thinking how hard it was going to be to work to get back,” Julian said. “[I learned] you can push yourself to anything. You don’t have limits. If you keep pushing yourself, you can achieve anything you want.”
Despite an impressive debut season playing in the gauntlet that is the Class 5A Northeast Conference, Julian didn’t seem satisfied with his performance in 2020. He knows the standard Penn Hills is held to, especially with the team only three years removed from winning WPIAL and state titles in 2018.
The way he sees it, this is his last chance to accomplish something special alongside his brother, and Julian plans to make the most of it.
“I want to make it to states for him so he can accomplish it, too,” Julian said. “We’re just trying to have fun while he’s here. We probably won’t be able to do this again.”