Jamal and Jahiem Porter at Cedar Park High School, Aug. 20, 2025. The Timberwolves are ranked No. 4 in the Statesman Top Ten poll.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Trae Hill eyes the endzone as the Cedar Park Timberwolves roll to a 49-7 victory over the Leander Lions Oct. 27, 2023, at Bible Stadium.
@pabloknight/Paul Knight/For American-Statesm
CEDAR PARK — The toughest opponent wide receiver Jamal Porter has faced throughout his life sleeps on the other side of the hall.
Before they were football players, Jamal and twin brother Jahiem competed against other daily. Football. Basketball. Track. Wrestling. Or maybe it was just to see who would be the first to reach the front door of the house. After all, sibling rivalries can get a little testy.
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As seniors at Cedar Park, which is ranked No. 4 in the American-Statesman’s annual top-10 preseason list of the best teams in Central Texas, the Porters are still feisty. But they now fight for the same cause. They just happen to be two of the leaders of a team that aspires to make a deep playoff run in December.
Jahiem is one of the best linebackers in the Austin area. He recorded 117 tackles, 14 behind the line of scrimmage, for the Timberwolves in 2024. Jamal is on the fast track to becoming an excellent wideout. He led all Cedar Park receivers in catches (42), receiving yards (579) and receiving touchdowns (five) last fall.
Jamal and Jahiem Porter at Cedar Park High School, Aug. 20, 2025. The Timberwolves are ranked No. 4 in the Statesman Top Ten poll.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
The brothers have a mutual respect for each other.
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“In the house, you compete against each other as soon as you wake up,” Jaheim said. “There’s something you’re always competing against. I can’t just wake up and say I’m going to take the day off today. I don’t think I’d be where I’m at without (Jamal). I get up now wanting to perfect my craft because someone wants to beat you every single day.”
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Said Jamal: “(Jahiem) is a big guy (6-foot-1, 220), pretty strong. You have to run away from him. He’s made me faster. It’s competitive, but we’ve never beat each other up.”
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On the football field, Jahiem has taken a no-mercy approach against everybody, including his brother. So, what does it feel like when Jahiem delivers a big hit?
“It feels like you’ve just run 3 miles and there’s a sharp pain in your liver,” Jamal said.
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Cedar Park Timberwolves linebacker Jahiem Porter (9) tangles with Rouse Raiders tight end Sergio Perez (88) during the second quarter at the District 8-5A-1 football game on Friday, Oct 4, 2024, at John Gupton Stadium in Cedar Park, TX.
John Gutierrez/Special to American-Statesman
Cedar Park coach Michael Quintero said the Wolves are lucky to have both of the brothers. They lead by example and are vocal on the field. He also said the twins have different personalities.
“They’re totally different from each other,” Quintero told the Statesman. “I’d said Jahiem is more serious, Jamal more laid back.”
Cedar Park (6-5 last year) should be much improved, the coach said. The Porters will have a major impact on the season, but they have plenty of support on both sides of the football. Quintero points to an offensive line that returns four starters while the defensive front seven are “very solid.”
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As for the Porters, there is another reason to be excited about the 2025 season. The seniors know this is their final chance to chase high school glory. They want to establish their own imprints at a school that won state championships in 2012 and 2015.
“We’re trying to get a ring this year,” Jahiem said. “Our chemistry is crazy this year. It’s just different. We have a special bond. It’s all about the present and the future right now, not the past. We’re trying to leave our own mark, our own legacy.”
Cedar Park Timberwolves tight end Jamal Porter (7) sprints off away from against the Rouse Raider defenders during the fourth quarter at the District 8-5A-1 football game on Friday, Oct 4, 2024, at John Gupton Stadium in Cedar Park, TX.
John Gutierrez/Special to American-Statesman
A lofty goal and looking for someone to hit
Jamal aspires to finish his high school career with his first 1,000-yard season. He certainly has a chance, considering the Timberwolves have returning starting quarterback David Cooper, a 6-foot-4, 210-junior who threw 20 touchdowns as a sophomore. He predicted Jamal will reach the 1,000-yard mark.
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“He’s 100% worthy,” Cooper said. “Last year we built chemistry each and every day. This year I feel like I’m comfortable enough to know where he’s going to be and where he’s going to want the ball.”
Jahiem, meanwhile, said he’s tired of hitting players in practice. He wants to swap helmet paint with players from other teams. It’ll start with a home game against Harker Heights, which outlasted the Timberwolves last year in five overtimes.
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Jahiem banged his helmet several times with the side of his fist when speaking Tuesday about the opener.
“We’ve been waiting for someone else to hit,” he said. “That first game of the season, I feel bad for Harker Heights.”