Talk about brother against brother.

Talk about a house divided.

Talk about a Civil War.

Everyone uses those metaphors while describing the annual Marshall vs. West Virginia University football game.

But we use those terms figuratively.

Which is precisely what makes the Frohnapfel family in Stafford, Va., so incredibly unique.

Those metaphors aren't just figures of speech in their home. Instead, they are true. The Frohnapfels literally are a house divided this week with a Civil War on the verge of breaking out because, yes indeed, it actually is brother against brother.

In fact, it's twin brothers Blake and Eric pitted against each other.

That's because Eric, a 6-foot-6, 210-pound senior tight end for Colonial Forge High School, verbally committed to WVU on July 15. Then, only 11 days later, twin brother Blake, a 6-5, 210-pound quarterback, verbally committed to Marshall.

And, now, that it's game week with Marshall hosting arch-rival WVU at 7 p.m., Friday, at Edwards Stadium. ... well, you get the picture.

Gentlemen, start your Civil War.

"With Marshall losing last week and West Virginia winning, Eric is talking plenty about that," said Blake during a telephone interview. "But, really, there hasn't been so much smack-talking so far. I'm guessing it will probably heat up a little more as we get closer to Friday."

The interesting part is neither Frohnapfel will get to watch ESPN's live telecast of the Marshall-WVU game. As it turns out, they have a prior commitment.

"We have a game that night," said Blake, "so we won't really be able to watch it."

In fact, Colonial Forge has a very big game.

"We play Woodbridge High School," said Blake, "which we actually lost to last season in five overtimes."

Five overtimes?

"Yeah, we lost 50-44," said Blake. "It was a rough one. So, we're trying to get a win this time around."

But the Frohnapfel brothers will be able to tape the Marshall-WVU game.

"We're definitely going to DVR it," said Blake. "And I want to try not to have anyone tell me what happened, so I can sit down and watch it."

Can't you just picture the scene? Blake in his Marshall gear cheering for the Herd, while Eric pulls for the Mountaineers while wearing blue and gold.

Welcome to life in a house truly divided.

"I'm not really sure how that happened," said Blake, "but I think it's the best situation for both of us. So, I'm happy about it."

What happened is Marshall offered scholarships to both Frohnapfels, but WVU offered only Eric who was the higher recruited of the twins.

Yet, both have generous upsides.

Eric, who possesses 4.6 speed, caught 30 passes for 736 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. Blake, also blessed with 4.6 speed, completed 76 of 138 passes for 1,609 yards and 17 touchdowns besides rushing for six TDs.

"I think my parents wanted us to play together because, obviously, it's more convenient for them," said Blake. "I feel like they're happy that we're both going somewhere that is right for us and that we're happy with. I think that's really important to them."

What's important to Blake is a good showing by Marshall on Friday night.

"If Marshall wins, I'll have the personal bragging rights for the rest of the year," said Blake. "I think it's going to be a good game."

It's going to be a Civil War.

The first of many for the Frohnapfel twins.

Chuck Landon is a sports columnist for The Herald-Dispatch. Call him at 304-526-2827. E-mail him at clandon@herald-dispatch.com.

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