Austin seniors Jany Gash and Trent Brown have both played big roles for the Austin football team this fall and its fitting that they’re doing it in a similar way.

Gash and Brown both play wide receiver and defensive back for the Packer football team, they both play for the Austin basketball team and they both compete in some of the same events for the Packer track and field team.

“We’re around each other a lot and that helps us a lot,” Gash said. “Our bond is pretty strong. We compete against each other all of the time in all of the sports that we play.”

Gash is a two-time state qualifier in the triple jump, but its his speed that’s helped him out this season on the football field. He’s hauled in 15 catches for 308 yards and three TDs, while picking off three passes on defense. Brown has seven catches for 130 yards and two TDs.

“We get excited for each other when we do well and we pick each other up and when we’re not doing well,” Brown said. “I’ve been trying to make an impact any way I can. It’s been a tough challenge, but it’s also been a fun challenge to try to rise to the occasion.”

Austin head coach Brett Vesel said that Gash and Brown have both been key cogs for the team this season.

“Trent’s a real pleasant surprise. I never thought he would play defense and he’s stepped up and played some great defense for us,” Vesel said. “We expect a lot out of Jany and he’s produced. He’s getting better every week and he’s a special player.“

Austin (0-5 overall) is still chasing its first win of the season, but the offense has made some strides with first year quarterback Tate Hebrink, a junior. Hebrink hit Gash and Brown for big scoring plays in last week’s loss at Owatonna.

“We have a lot of trust in Tate,” Gash said. “We have a lot of chemistry together and we hold each other accountable to do our jobs and make plays. It’s really our job to make Tate look good and I think we’ve done a good job of that.”

Gash, Brown and the rest of the Packers have their eyes on getting things on track when they host Albert Lea (1-4 overall) in a Homecoming showdown in Art Hass Stadium 7 p.m. Friday. The Tigers recently ended a 32-game losing streak and the Packers currently have a 16 game losing skid.

Gash said the Packer offense is ready for a big night.

“We’re very excited,” Gash said. “It’ll definitely be an exciting, electrifying game. The atmosphere is going to be crazy.”

While the Packers showed some positive signs against some tough opponents over the past couple of weeks, Vesel is expecting to get AL’s best shot on Friday.

“It’s going to be a tough game for both teams and it’s going to be a grind it out game,” Vesel said. “We’ve got to come to play because it’s a special game for us.”