Having played youth football together since second grade — 11 years to be exact — Brady and Dylan Macey have been pretty much inseparable on the gridiron. Off the field, they are involved in many activities together as well. Perhaps this is appropriate when you consider the Newtown High School seniors are fraternal twins.

In football, they both play free safety (Dylan is also a defensive end). In the spring, both are lacrosse team captains. The twins are also co-presidents/founders of STEM Honor Society and involved with other NHS clubs. Outside of school, they can be found working a part-time job together. And with high school graduation coming up this spring it only figures that there is at least a chance this Macey tandem will end up at the same college. They are considering, among other schools, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (these student-athletes with near-perfect GPAs and football skills received offers to play football there).

They have shared in some great triumphs, including winning an eighth grade championship in the loser’s bracket and combining on an interception return for a touchdown in the year’s Class L State quarterfinal game, a 29-28 win over visiting Shelton. Dylan tipped a pass and Brady picked it off and ran it back for a key score in Newtown’s exciting victory.

So we know there is quite the common thread on and off the field, but these siblings have some differing interests as well. Let’s learn more about Brady and Dylan in this Q & A:

*What positions have you played in football?

Brady: I played pretty much the same positions throughout youth — safety and wide receiver. I switched to only safety my senior year.

Dylan: I played center from second grade through eighth grade, then transitioned to corner for my freshman and sophomore years of high school. I then moved to outside linebacker junior year, and finally to defensive end my senior year.

*What other sports and activities are you involved with?

Brady: I am captain in lacrosse with Dylan and run track. Dylan and I are also co-presidents/founders of STEM Honor Society and I am vice president of the Debate Team. I am president of Future Business Leaders of America. I am a member of National Honor Society and a few other honor societies. We both work at Castle Hill Farm.

Dylan: I am a captain of the lacrosse team at NHS, co-president and co-founder of the NHS STEM Honor Society with Brady, president of the NHS Debate Team, member of National Honor Society (and several other honor societies) and I work at Castle Hill Farm.

What are your college plans?

Brady: I have a spot on the football team at MIT, but I would have to get into the school first to accept the offer. If not, I plan on going to a bigger school where I can watch football instead. I am interested in finance.

Dylan: I currently have offers to play football in college and am still weighing my options. I would like to study aerospace engineering.

Favorite food?

Brady: I am a vegetarian, Dylan is a meat lover. My favorite food is mac ‘n cheese.

Dylan: My favorite food is my mom’s lasagna.

What team do you root for?

Brady: San Francisco 49ers.

Dylan: Denver Broncos.

Best football memory:

Brady: Watching the coaches run after they challenge us (such as making a field goal) during practice.

Dylan: My favorite football memories are the bonfires we held at the end of every regular season at the high school. Each senior was given the opportunity to speak and burn an item of their choice, leaving behind any regrets they had from their time playing. Events like these are what formed the tight brotherhood we shared, and were the reason why football is so special to us all.

Fond memory relating to you together on the field:

Brady: Definitely the interception due to the fact it was a playoff game and the game was so close. In the moment, I didn’t realize he tipped it but it was great watching the play back afterwards and sharing that moment.

Dylan: My favorite memory on the field with my brother was the tipped pass that led to an INT he returned for a touchdown in the Shelton quarterfinal game. This was such an amazing game for the whole team, and to be able to contribute to such a great play with my brother meant everything to me.

What is the best part about playing together?

Brady: An added layer of competition. We are always competing in every aspect of football, whether it is lifting, sprints, or stats from games.

Dylan: The best part about playing with Brady was definitely the competition. We always pushed each other in everything we did, and I certainly wouldn’t be where I am today without him.

Do you talk football at home?

Brady: When we watch film, we will often talk about opponent strategies and see whether we are on the same page before sharing ideas with the rest of the team.

Dylan: Brady and I talked football everywhere we went. We often broke down film together, and prepared for upcoming games. Outside of our team, we discussed the NFL and our favorite teams regularly as well.

Are you tougher on each other than teammates due to your natural familiarity with each other?

Brady: Yes, as I stated before, everything is a competition as a twin. Usually friendly competition but it definitely pushes us to become tougher and more determined in the activity we are pursuing.

Dylan: We are definitely tougher on each other than we are to our teammates. This is because we know the other can handle it and we are just pushing each other to be better.

How would you describe your relationship as it relates to football? Is it a healthy rivalry with goals of bragging rights, pulling for each other etc.?

Brady: It is a healthy rivalry that definitely leads to bragging rights. Over time, we have realized that we are both better at certain things and worse at others, and neither one of us will ever come out on top.

Dylan: I would consider our relationship a healthy rivalry. Like I said, we are always pushing to make each other better, and we are both super competitive, so naturally everything in our lives is a competition. We use this to our advantage though, and it will never affect our relationship in a negative way.

How much will you miss playing football in Newtown?

Brady: Football has made me into the person I am today. As Coach [Dan] Farina says, ‘Football is life sped up.’ I will forever miss the opportunity to face challenges and grow alongside the family I have made along the way and the family I always had (Dylan).

Dylan: I will miss NHS Football an incredible amount. It’s difficult to come to terms with the fact that I will never be able to play with all of my teammates again, but I will forever cherish the lifelong friendships that Newtown Football has given me.

How much are you looking forward to your next chapter?

Brady: As I move on to college, I hope to keep football as a large part of my life, whether it is playing or cheering on the college I attend. I am excited to see where these opportunities take me and I will use the determination, hard work, and dedication I have learned through football in any challenges I face along the way.

Dylan: I am super excited to see what life has in store for me next, and I know that I will have an amazing support staff surrounding me wherever I go.

Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.