Territorial Cup divides the Hoods

Published Nov. 21, 2012 5:49 a.m. ET

foxsports

Nov. 21, 2012

TEMPE, Ariz. -- The spirit of the Territorial Cup rivalry, in any sport, is perhaps
embodied no better than when it divides a household the same way it
divides the state of Arizona. Husbands against wives, parents against
children.

But in the most intriguing cases, the rivalry pits
brother against brother on the field. Such is the case for ASU freshman
defensive lineman Jaxon Hood and UA junior defensive lineman Tevin Hood,
both Chandler Hamilton products who will compete against each other for
the first time Friday.

"This is the first time we've been
structured competitively against each other," Jaxon said. "We've played
games of football in the back yard, and they would always end in tears
and fights. So this will probably be more of a controlled thing than
we're used to doing."

Jaxon said he and his brother haven't
traded barbs this week and believes both will remain focused on
competing Friday, at least until the final whistle.

"We've been
pretty mature about the whole thing," Jaxon said. "There will be more
trash talk after the game, but right now we're just focused on doing our
jobs and making sure our teams come out with a win."

Tevin said he's trying to keep things civil: “I’m just treating this
game like any other game, but there is a different intensity since it is
a rivalry game. This will be the first time that I will play against my
brother. I never played against or with him, but I’m not going out of
my way to say anything to my brother. My Dad will root for Arizona since
he was raised in Tucson. My two youngest brothers will also root for
the Arizona, but the rest of my family will be rooting for Arizona
State.”

Jaxon said if his parents are choosing sides, they haven't let it be known to him.

"It's
more neutral," Jaxon said. "They might have their little favorites, but
they're not telling us. They don't want to start any family feuds."

With one son at each school, it might be a little late for that.

-- Tyler Lockman