According to Colton football coach Harold Strauss' grand plan, 2004 would be the season the Yellowjackets really take flight.

Strauss' expectations for this season have risen, however, thanks in no small part to Shamon and Shareece Wright.

Yes, here it comes: The Wright brothers have Colton's football program flying. The Yellowjackets are 3-0 heading into Friday's San Andreas League opener against San Bernardino Pacific.

Shamon, a senior, starts at cornerback and running back, while sophomore Shareece plays the other corner and has become the team's backup tailback.

"You know, it's funny, if they were competing for the same position, the competition would be fierce because that's the way they are," Strauss said.

"We didn't get along very well for a while," Shamon said. "But then I started looking at him as a brother instead of a little kid who got on my nerves."

Shamon has teamed with sophomore Allen Bradford and senior Tory Kennard to create havoc for opposing defenses in the Yellowjackets' double-wing offense. Shamon has rushed for 309 yards (second behind Bradford's 318) and is averaging 8.1 yards per carry.

Shareece is quickly moving up the ladder in the offensive scheme and scored his first varsity touchdown in last week's 44-20 victory over Fontana, in which Shamon also scored.

The development of Shareece and some of Colton's other younger players has given Strauss more depth, a necessity against league opponents such as Arroyo Valley and San Gorgonio.

"Being able to have different weapons is a big advantage," Strauss said. "Our running game right now is full throttle."

Strauss said Shamon has done a great job taking Shareece under his wing.

"Shamon is the calmer one and Shareece has more of the nasty side, in a good way," Strauss said. "Shamon does a good job keeping him out of trouble."

Though their parents split up shortly after Shareece was born, the Wright brothers have a strong support system at home, including four siblings that range in age from 7 to 19, their mother and a host of aunts, uncles and family friends. The brothers say they get plenty of guidance to keep them from finding trouble .

"They give us a lot of speeches," Shareece said. "I'm always playing football or other sports, though, so I don't have time to do anything else."

Strauss' program has also played a role. He said he believes the coaching staff has treated all of the players like family, and that is now paying dividends on the field.

"I think our kids truly believe they're special," Strauss said. "We sell them a philosophy that's built on life more then football."

Part of that philosophy includes having a captains' dinner at the Strauss home every Thursday during football season. Strauss lets the captains invite teammates, other students and teachers to the meal. Shareece is a regular guest.

Shamon said he feels he has matured since he and Shareece first teamed together playing pee wee football, and that's helped their relationship.

"I learned as I get older that to have more responsibility I had to take care of my brothers and sisters," Shamon said. "It's pretty fun, I try to teach him stuff and help him a lot, but sometimes he teaches me, too."