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Competition rules for Bannas
By Joe Scalzo
Youngstown
Kyle Banna is three years older than his brother Dan and, as a kind, unselfish older brother, took it upon himself to make sure Dan was plenty tough.
“I used to beat on him all the time and I think it’s made him a tougher football player,” said Kyle, a senior fullback for Youngstown State University. “He’s catching up to me, he’s about my size now.
“But I can still take him.”
The Banna brothers are part of a family legacy at YSU. Their father, Tom, was a fullback for the Penguins from 1972-74 and now they both play that position at YSU. Their uncles Rick and Nazih also played for the Penguins
Kyle and Dan — along with their older brother, Tom — grew up competing together. Tom, a 2002 Canfield High graduate, is four years older than Kyle, who is three years older than Dan.
“There was always a lot of competition between me and my brother,” Kyle said. “I never let him win.
“But he always pushed me.”
Just as Kyle paved the way for his younger brother growing up, he’s now literally paving the way for him in the backfield. When starting tailback Jamaine Cook was banged up in Saturday’s scrimmage, Dan took advantage of extra opportunities, rushing 22 times for 83 yards and four TDs.
“I just tried to take advantage of the opportunity and show [the coaches] what I could do,” said Dan, a redshirt freshman. “You’ve got to be ready to step up if someone goes down because it can be taken away in a play.”
The Bannas know that better than most. Two years ago, Dan missed his senior season at Canfield after tearing his ACL in the preseason. Weeks later, Kyle suffered the same injury during YSU’s game against Liberty.
Although both recovered fully, several college recruiters backed off Dan in the weeks following the injury.
“I always think back to what could have happened and where I could be but I’m happy I’m here with my brother,” Dan said. “Playing with him now is a lot of fun.
“We help each other out with plays, knowledge of the game, anything. We both had ACL injuries and we both recovered 100 percent from them so we’re lucky to be out here playing this game.”
Cook and redshirt freshman Torrian Pace are the top two tailbacks but that doesn’t mean they’ll get all the carries. Kyle — like all running backs — once dreamed of getting 30 carries a game, but he’s accepted his blocking role — almost.
“Maybe give me a carry or two,” said Kyle (6-2, 240). “Or a pass out in the flat. I don’t mind that. Just to keep the defense honest.”
Dan (5-11, 225) had one of Saturday’s most memorable plays when he hurdled a defender for a first down.
“If he goes for the ankle, I’m not afraid to go overtop them and leave the ground,” Dan said. “But if someone goes at me, I’m not going to weave or make them miss.
“I’m going to go through them.”
It’s a lesson he learned young.
Punish, or get punished.
“The younger brother always gets beat up,” he said. “I think it made me stronger.”