Signs Are Good for These Sons of ‘Gemini’

During the 1990s, “American Gladiators” was a popular syndicated TV game show on which contestants tested themselves against muscular, menacing actors in such physical competitions as the joust, powerball, human cannonball and the obstacle course.

Myke Horton, a former UCLA offensive lineman, played the role of Gemini on the show for five years, during which time his sons, Shane and Wes, were born.

The baby gladiators have grown into teenage gladiators, helping Sherman Oaks Notre Dame to a 4-0 record in football and a No. 4 ranking in the Southland by The Times.

Wes, 6 feet 6 and 230 pounds, is a junior defensive end who has gained 40 pounds since last season and emerged as a bona fide pass-rushing standout with seven sacks and the kind of aggressiveness that excites college recruiters.

Shane, 6-2 and 205, is a senior safety-receiver who has taken over as the starting quarterback because of a back injury to Dayne Crist and become so effective running the option play that he deserves the reputation as one of the most versatile players in the Southland.

They are chips off the same blocks. Their father is now a personal trainer and second-degree black belt, and their mother, Julie, is a former personal trainer. Their sister, Taylor, is a 5-11 sophomore starter on Notre Dame’s girls’ volleyball team.

“They’ve got some good genes,” Crist said.

Watching the brothers compete together produces weekly excitement in the Horton household. They might be the best brother combination in the Southland. And they’re certainly having fun.

“There really is no better feeling,” Shane said. “I’m out there with the person I love the most, side by side, doing what we love together. It’s under the lights, family watching.”

Wes’ development has been critical to the improved play of a Notre Dame defense that was run over in last year’s Southern Section Division III final by Compton Dominguez.

“Wes is just mean,” his father said admiringly. “He has a mean streak and a defenseman’s mentality. He thinks quarterbacks are raw meat.”

Wes has made dramatic improvement in a year’s time, and much of it has to do with increased confidence.

“I feel a lot more comfortable knowing I can make the plays,” he said. “I was way undersized last year.”

Said Notre Dame Coach Kevin Rooney: “As a sophomore, he was tall and skinny. He would battle and get beat up. He’s aggressive, athletic and very competitive.”

Shane has been a three-year varsity starter, making his greatest impact as a defensive back and receiver. But when Crist couldn’t play in the second game of the season, Shane stepped in with only one day of practice at quarterback. He has responded with rushing performances of 143 yards against Lake Balboa Birmingham and 149 yards against Saugus.

“Coach Rooney has always had me backing up in case of a freak accident,” he said. “I took some reps as a sophomore and last year to keep me knowing the system in case something happened.”

The fact Shane kept paying attention to what the quarterback was doing while focusing on his own responsibilities demonstrates his intelligence and ability to improvise.

“He’s just a real good athlete who makes a lot of plays,” Rooney said.

The boys weren’t old enough to remember attending any of the “American Gladiators” shows, but they know their father was one tough competitor.

“He was the king in jousting,” Shane said.

Shane and Wes will leave the pugil sticks to their father, but this next generation of Horton gladiators have learned their lessons well. They have no intention of settling for being ordinary.

“I want to get bigger, faster, stronger,” Wes said.

Eric Sondheimer can be reached at eric.sondheimer@latimes.com