Loden brothers set to start for Kennesaw State
Brothers starting on the same unit for the same Division I football team are rare.
That is why it is likely to be something special for Cole and Cade Loden when they suit up next to one another when Kennesaw State hosts Reinhardt on Thursday to open the fall season at Fifth Third Bank Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m.
Cole Loden, a senior, will start at strong safety, while his younger brother, a sophomore, will handle the duties at strong-side linebacker. The fact they are starting together is nothing new — they did it while playing at Camden County High School — but to do in college is something else altogether.
“I think it’s something we thought about as kids,” said Cole Loden, who has played in all 32 games since arriving at Kennesaw State, and finished seventh on the team in tackles in the spring with 14, including 1 1/2 for loss. “We kind of dreamed of playing together in college.”
Kennesaw State coach Brian Bohannon said he was happy the brothers will get to start, but as a father of two sons who played high school football together, he said he is happiest for the family as a whole.
The Lodens’ parents, Steve and Gretchen, will be making the 5½ -hour drive from the coastal Georgia town of St. Mary’s to see the game.
“Two great kids, first of all,” Bohannon said. “Great kids, great family, hard workers, great teammates.
“I’m excited for them. They both work hard, so we’re excited to see what they can do. It is unique, and I think it’s great for everybody else, but it’s great for that family. I think about mom and dad. They get to go to one place and watch their kids play Division I football instead of trying to figure out how to divide and conquer if their kids are at different places.
“I love they way they go about their business. They come in the building with a great attitude every day and I’m excited to see what they do.”
The Lodens are the first brothers to start for Kennesaw State in the same game, but they have already seen time together on the field. Both played on special teams during the shortened spring season, and it led to one of the biggest plays in family history.
In the second quarter of the Owls’ game against Dixie State, the brothers lined up on the punt return team. When the ball was snapped, Cole Loden backed up to prepare for a return, but as he did, he heard a cheer from the crowd. When he looked up, he saw his brother picking up a bad snap and running toward the end zone.