Bishop Gorman brothers Joseph (left), a senior center, and Michael Goodwin, a junior quarterback, have helped the Crusaders offense average 38.9 points and 531.8 yards per game. (Sarah A. Miller | Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Senior Joseph Goodwin and his brother Michael, a junior, remember their first game together as center and quarterback at Bishop Gorman well.

They just have conflicting reports on what actually happened.

As Joseph recalls, Michael, then a freshman quarterback on the JV squad, at one point dropped the ball on the way into the end zone, so Joseph jumped in and grabbed it for a touchdown.

Michael insists Joseph made a low snap that hit the ground during the rainy road game. Michael says he merely set the ball down after he knew he had crossed the goal line — it was his touchdown.

What did the mediating parents, Warren and Reese Goodwin, think?

“They’re just glad we won the game,” Michael said. “They say we shared it, but I think it was definitely my touchdown.”

“Oh I don’t know about that,” Joseph countered.

Thousands of snaps later, the two have produced scores of touchdowns for the Crusaders, rendering the dispute largely moot.

One thing is for sure: The Goodwin brothers have helped Gorman become an offensive juggernaut this year.

With Michael in his first varsity season as quarterback, the Crusaders (7-2, 4-2 TAPPS D-II District 2) are averaging 531.8 yards per game. Michael has thrown for 2,502 yards with 21 touchdowns and five interceptions. He’s added a team-high 757 yards and 10 touchdowns rushing.

“It’s really just an unforgettable experience because I get to share something with someone who’s been in my life for longer than anyone else on the team and that’s what really makes it special,” Michael said. “It helps because he always keeps me in line. He’s always there; I always look up to him as a role model.”

Each play starts with Michael in the shotgun behind Joseph and, without fail, the older brother’s snap finds the younger brother’s hands in just the right position.

“There’s something about my snaps that whenever I snap it he catches the laces just right, but if somebody else snaps, it’s not the same,” said Joseph, 363 days older than Michael.

What’s more, friends and family have no trouble spotting the two on the field as they’re always in the middle of the action.

“It’s always easy to find us and spot us,” Michael said. “Whenever I’m able to make a play they know it’s because of him and the other guys up front.”

Gorman coach Coby Gipson said he’s never seen a sibling center-quarterback exchange like the one he’s got now. Combined with the Goodwins’ work ethic, he never has to worry about a wayward snap.

“When you talk about an offense that’s in the shotgun every snap, they really have a great cohesion,” Gipson said. “They work together so much on their own time. They both want to excel.

“As much as they desire for success at their own position, they want to see the other one do even better. They push each other to a level that you’re not capable of getting to if all you’re worried about is yourself.”

The Goodwins attributed the team’s success to the same attributes Gipson admired in the brothers: work ethic and camaraderie.

“Definitely our team chemistry and the hard work we’ve put in,” Joseph said. “We’ve really started working a lot harder than we have, especially all the new programs we’ve instituted.”

Added Michael: “We’ve got to get better and we know how to get better.”

Both Goodwins are leaders on and off the field.

Gipson described Joseph as a constant spark, whether it’s keeping the locker room entertained or helping maintain a consistent level of focus.

Michael, a former first-team all-district safety, is more of a vocal leader who knows what each position on the field needs to be doing at any given time.

“(Michael’s) a great leader in a football sense and Joe’s great in terms of the right mindset,” Gipson said.

Where the Goodwins really separate themselves is when it comes to postgame celebrations. Gipson said Joseph and Michael are two of the best he’s seen on the field and in postgame celebrations.

“They lead the postgame celebrating,” Gipson said. “They’re pretty talented when it comes to the dance floor. I’ll leave it at that.”