FREEPORT — Shawn Bargerstock can still remember when he squared off against his older brother, Shane, in a Freeport youth football scrimmage several years ago.

Grade-wise, the brothers, who reside in Buffalo Township, were separated by four years, and, apparently, it showed on the playing field.

"We started when we were in youth football," said Shawn, who will be a junior at Freeport this year.

"At one point, I was the center and he was the nose guard. He took advantage of me. He threw me to the ground. He was aggressive. We both would get into it," Shawn added.

"It was neat to play against your own brother in football," said Shane, 20. "There were no bragging rights, though, because I was with a bigger team then.

"I was probably in the sixth grade then," Shane added.

Shane, however, would see his football playing days end in October 2005.

In his sophomore year, Shane was injured during a home junior varsity game against Mars that, at the time, left him a quadriplegic.

With physical therapy and some time at Push to Walk, a spinal cord injury exercise and recovery facility in Riverdale, N.J., has allowed Shane to regain some use of his hands.

His last visit to the facility was about five months ago.

"(My hands) are still not under my control, but I'm getting better," said Shane. "I'm still getting the feeling back. I'm still progressing."

Through all of his brother's struggles, Shawn said he's learned many valuable lessons.

"He's given me lots of advice, to never give up and never let anyone intimidate you," said Shawn. "He's been a big help to me."

Shane downplays any major advice, leaving that up to the Yellowjackets coaching staff.

"If I see him doing something wrong, I'll tell him, but the coaches already tell him what he needs to know," said Shane.

"I tell him stay in shape and hit the weights because they are a lot stronger in high school," Shane added.

After Shane's injury, Shawn understands what can happen on the football field, but he said he doesn't allow it to hinder what he needs to do.

"I know it's possible, but I don't think about it," said Shawn. "It doesn't affect me, but it's always in the back of my head."

This season, Shawn is listed as a 5-foot-9 linebacker and running back, and he'll try to help the Yellowjackets reach the postseason for third consecutive season.

Shane wasn't able to attend Freeport football games in 2009 because of his physical therapy, but he vows he'll get back to Swartz Field this year.

"You get to see friends and stuff," said Shane. "I love the game of football. It's fun to watch."

It's especially fun when his brother takes the field for Freeport.