Identical in Nature: Twins Da’Sean, Da’Jean Golmond driven by same standards for Denham Springs
by William Weathers // GeauxPreps.com Contributor
They’re two humble 17-year-olds who want what’s best for their teammates and above all else, each other.
It’s not a stretch to see identical twins Da’Jean and Da’Sean of Denham Springs pushing each other in practice on the football field or basketball court. They hold each other to a lofty standard, and if either falls short, you’d better take cover because the verbal bullets will fly.
“If he sees me slacking or if I see him slacking, we just try to hold each other accountable,” said Da’Jean, the team’s starting quarterback. “We’re trying to do something special. We don’t need anyone to be messing around.”
Da’Sean (who is two minutes older) said the price is equally steep for dropped passes or imprecise routes on his part as it is for an inaccurate pass from his brother.
“It’s every single day in practice,” said the senior wide receiver. “If he messes up on a throw, I’m going at him for the rest of the practice. If I drop some or miss some, he’s coming at me saying, ‘I should have caught that’. The coaches have told us numerous times to chill out.
“That’s what we expect out of each other,” he said. “In the games, we don’t bash each other. I know he’ll hold himself to a high standard, and if he messes up, I know I don’t have to say anything because I see him kind of getting down on himself. I have to go tell him you’re good, keep playing, and he turns the switch and gets going.”
The spirited dynamic between the Golmonds – a pair of 6-foot-1, 200-pounders – has had a residual impact on the Yellow Jackets, who were 6-5 and exited the first round of the Division I non-select state playoffs.
Sixth-year head coach Brett Beard enjoys the constant banter from two of the team’s top players. It’s sent a message that’s resonated with the rest of the team.
“They push each other, they get after each other,” Beard said. “That’s what I love because if those two, who are arguably two of our best players, are constantly getting after it, everyone kind of elevates around them. With them being twins, they get after each other.
“They call each other out when one’s not practicing well,” Beard said. “Or if he’s (De’Jean) not making the throws, if the receiver (Da’Sean) is not running good routes or jogging, the quarterback’s going to call him out. You can see the sibling rivalry is a healthy one, and they feed off each other. They can do some things that make us look good because they’re on a different wavelength than we are at times.”
The final high school season together is one that’s motivated the Golmonds in the offseason to help elevate Denham Springs’ football program they watched from the stands as freshman host a state quarterfinal against Ruston.
They were both integral parts of Denham Springs’ basketball run to the Division I non-select state semifinals last season against Central. Da’Sean, the left-handed point guard, and De’Jean, the deadly right-handed 3-point specialist, had the Yellow Jackets on the cusp of the school’s first trip to the finals since 1956.
“It is emotional, not only for us but our family as well,” Da’Sean said of the final high school season together with Da’Jean. “We want to push through together. I feel we have the team to do something special.”
De’Jean acknowledged the possible finality of playing sports with Da’Sean for the final time.
“We’ve talked about it,” he said. “To make the best of this opportunity because you never know when that last game’s going to be.”
Denham Springs hosts Walker in jamboree action at approximately 7:15 p.m. Friday before traveling to Hammond to open the 2025 season on Sept. 5 at 7 p.m.
There’s precedent involving the Golmond name and athletic excellence in Livingston Parish.
U’Drego Golmond was a standout running back at Walker High, where he rushed 313 times for 1,775 yards and 19 touchdowns as a senior. He was selected to the Class 4A All-State first team and was the offensive MVP of the Baton Rouge Advocate’s All-Metro team in 1995.
The eldest Golmond brother – Tyre – enjoyed a solid career at Denham Springs, where he was a running back and played basketball.
“He was one of the guys that I put on a list when he touched the ball, it kind of freaks you out,” Beard said of his role as head coach at Live Oak. “You just want to get them down. I knew how good he was.”
The Golmond name was again prevalent when Beard moved to Denham Springs and went to watch the junior high football and basketball games of his feeder schools, where he saw the twins in action.
“I knew the last name,” he said. “I knew what bloodline they were coming from, and they were capable of being legitimate players for us. They were competitors, they were winners. The thing that makes them so amazing is their attitudes and work ethic. They’re so much fun to be around. It’s so much fun to watch them bicker and get after each other and compete with each other. We kind of feed off their competitive nature.”
Da’Jean and Da’Sean began playing sports at the tender age of 4, playing on the same team for the next 14 years of their lives, where they’ve become two-sport standouts and community favorites.
They began throwing and catching on a field near their home, working on the very routes and moves that would help them develop the type of chemistry that would keep them ahead of the competition.
“We started off by watching our older brother,” Da’Jean said. “The first year, we were scared of contact. I used to tell the coach not to put me in the game. De’Sean wanted to go out there, and I used to call him crazy for it. Over time, we just became accustomed to it and loved it. We traveled a lot. We’re in the gym a lot together. We’ve pushed each other to be the best that we could be. Everything we’ve done is a competition, to be better than the day before.”
Da’Sean said that the initial stage of timidness gave way to the rush of competition and the success they enjoyed. By the time they were 6, the Southside Patriots joined forces with another team in Denham Springs for a youth league championship.
He remembered being petrified of playing football, but in order to persuade his brother to come out onto the field, he put up a brave front.
“I needed to set an example for him,” he said. “On the inside, I was scared, too. It wasn’t until the second or third year until asked the coach to be in, but I didn’t want the ball. Then I was ready and said, ‘give me the ball’. We’ve built off of that and started to ball out.”
They’ve taken different paths to the field, with Da’Sean starting as a sophomore at wide receiver, while Da’Jean was a backup quarterback to Jerry Horne, who had gotten valuable experience the year before for an injured Reese Mooney.
Da’Jean’s playing time ramped up when Horne was injured and remained the Jackets’ starter in ‘22.
“We think Jerry’s the guy, he’s a three-four-star quarterback, and we had a young buck behind him,” Beard said. “Then he gets picked up, and Golmond comes in and produces. At the end of the day, in a competition, it’s about production.”
Because of his more elusive nature, Da’Jean altered Denham Springs’ offensive attack, further developing as a passer with a veteran group of receivers.
“You had the opportunity to put him on the field and do some different run-game stuff and still have the threat of a quarterback,” Beard said. “When Jerry was nicked up, he was ready to go, and they were both perfect for each other.”
Denham Springs stumbled to a 3-7 record, though, dropping its last six games of the season. The Golmonds’ first season of varsity football brought mixed results, but it was clear they had promising futures.
Da’Sean said a catalyst in the upgrade of their on-field chemistry as youngsters was to watch game highlights, applaud the positives, and iron out the negatives.
“It was kind of crazy to see his growth from then until now,” he said of his brother, who began playing quarterback as an 8-year-old. “I normally don’t tell him how good he is all the time. I go at him a lot to try and get him to flip a switch.”
At a wide receiver position with nine upperclassmen, Da’Sean was responsible for five catches, 90 yards, and 2 TDs, setting the stage for brighter days.
Da’Jean completed 53 of 98 passes for 631 and two touchdowns and added a rushing score.
“We’ve been playing with each other for so long,” Da’Sean said. “I can have an out route or deep out, and he doesn’t have to tell me anything when he rolls out. He knows I may be about to sit down (inside of coverage). Most of the time, we don’t have to say anything. He’ll know the route by just giving him a look. He’ll give me a signal and know what he wants.”
Their playing time together increased last season, with Denham Springs winning four of its first five games heading into District 5-5A play.
Horne remained the team’s starter with Da’Jean providing glimpses of his dual-threat capability. He threw for 188 yards and 4 TDs on 8 of 18 passing.
Despite a late-season slide with four losses in their final six games, including a 42-41 overtime loss to West Ouachita in the first round of the playoffs, the emergence of Da’Sean was evident. He wound up 21 catches for 274 yards – 13 yards per reception – and two TDs.
“We’re in a day and age where we get so wrapped up in numbers,” Beard said. “His numbers are not mind-blowing, but he’s our best offensive player. He’s a guy that makes us go. Not only do we know it, but people outside of here know that. They’re going to look to take him away.”
Eventually, the town of Denham Springs caught onto the meteoric rise of its basketball team that began with a 22-1 record.
The Yellow Jackets were the inverse of many successful teams, compensating for an overall lack of size with quickness, defense, and a team that enjoyed playing together.
It was also a role reversal for the Golmonds with Da’Sean serving as the team’s facilitator at point guard, and Da’Jean an athletic swingman known for his ability to stretch defenses on the perimeter.
“At the beginning of the year, we didn’t have a lot of people for the first home game,” Da’Jean said. “It wasn’t nearly the same amount of people until we got towards district. The gym’s packed for the second round, and for Ruston (a state quarterfinal win) it was standing room only.”
The Golmonds were part of a team that also included their cousins Jermaine and J.K. O’Connor.
The team’s close-knit nature was unmistakable, further connecting a team that, because of repairs to their home court, hosted second and third round playoff games at Walker. The Jackets advanced past Westgate, 75-57, and emerged with a 53-50 victory over Ruston, a semifinalist in 2024.
Denham Springs was in the state semifinals for the first time in 22 years and went toe-to-toe with Central, which handed them a double-digit defeat during the regular season.
The Jackets (29-4) rallied from a seven-point deficit (45-38) going into the fourth quarter and twice tied the game, the second time at 48-all with 5:08 to go on Da’Jean Golmond’s 3-pointer. He topped his team with 14 points in a 62-56 setback.
“Everyone was selfless last year,” Da’Jean said. “We had games with six people in double digits. Everybody cared for another.”
Da’Jean, a second team all-district and all-parish selection, was third on the team in scoring (10.6), second in assists (107 for 3.2 per game), and steals (80 for 2.42 per game). He was the team’s top 3-point threat at 45% shooting with 65 made field goals.
Da’Sean was the team’s third-leading scorer (9.27). He led the Jackets in assists (150 for 4.5 per game), was third in steals (69 for 2.1 per game), and was named first team All-Livingston Parish and honorable mention All-District 5-5A.
“I know when he wants to spot up and shoot the 3,” Da’Sean said of his brother. “If we’re on a 2-on-1 fastbreak, one of us is going to want the ball near the rim for an alley-oop. I can dribble up the court and see him. We were able to bring the school somewhere it hadn’t been in a long time. We kind of set a new standard. We’re trying to stack years and make that the standard.”
The one scholarship offer they currently hold from the same school is Division III Millsaps in Jackson, Miss.
Productive seasons that contribute to a prosperous year for Denham Springs could change the trajectory for the Golmonds, who aspire to remain teammates beyond their senior years.
“We want to do the same thing, that’s the plan,” Da’Sean said. “It would make it easier for us and our parents. If we happen to go somewhere else, we’ll talk every single day. We’d have that constant companion to talk to.”
With two years of experience to his credit, Beard believes Da’Jean’s earned the opportunity to lead this year’s offense. He’s witnessed certain traits that have given him an indication his quarterback is in for a big season.
The biggest example may have taken place in last week’s scrimmage against Zachary when Da’Jean bounced back from a pick-6 to lead the Jackets to a 17-14 win in the timed portion of the event.
“His attitude is amazing to be around,” he said. “He gets it. In college, you talk about the consummate pro, the guy you know is going to be a professional player because of the way he handles everything. He’s kind of like that now at this level. You see how he goes about his business, how he’s handled himself in basketball, handled himself in the offseason. The dude just gets it and cares so much that everyone around him cares.”
Da’Sean was the biggest cheerleader for Da’Jean during the offseason.
“I talk to him all of the time, telling him this is going to be a good team,” Da’Sean said. “We’re going to need a leader, that voice. That’s why his leadership skills have taken a big jump since last year. He sat in the back last year. Now, I tell him vocally, he’s going to be that guy.”
Da’Jean is quick to remind his brother of the potential that may exist during challenging times on the field.
“He tells me when we have that big play that he’ll need someone to go to,” Da’Sean said, “That’s why I’m trying to be that guy for him, the person to come to on third down or when we need something.”
Da’Jean didn’t waste a moment in his preparation for his big moment this season. During the basketball team’s historic season, he was committed to finding time on weekends and working on his mechanics, throwing to Da’Sean, and continuing to refine their connection that could become lethal this fall.
He was also aware of the intangibles he would need in the huddle.
“I worked on being a better leader,” he said. “I hadn’t been as vocal because we had someone else who was a senior leader in there. It was his team, and I let him lead it. This year, I’m going to be more vocal and try and lead my guys. I’m ready to show what I can do.”
Beard expects the offense’s passing game to find another gear because the team’s experience surrounding Da’Sean, thus enabling him to see more man coverage and have more 1-on-1 battles.
“I think you’ll see him with a lot of chances to make plays, but you can’t just focus on him or roll coverage to him or bracket him,” he said. “I think some things are going to change for him this year because he has a supporting cast.
“They’re (Golmonds) kind of synced up to where they make something happen and when things kind of unfold on a certain play,” he said. “They’re on the same page. They make us look like geniuses as coaches, and I appreciate that.”
The family’s legacy will not fade at the end of this year’s athletic calendar.
A pair of younger brothers – sophomore outside linebacker Dreyden and freshman running back Jackson – are working their way up the depth chart and could figure into the team’s future plans.
A second set of identical twins – sisters Da’Khyla and Da’Kayla – are in the seventh grade, where basketball and track and field are focal points in their lives, lending themselves to a similar path taken by their older brothers.
Da’Jean and Da’Sean have been inseparable since birth, a journey that’s led to an association with sports and a circle of the same friends. They’d rather have hot wings as their go-to dish and snack on sweet and sour candy.
Their dislike of people smacking while eating makes their skin crawl.
They’ve learned to inspire each other through hard work, applaud the highs, and support the other during the lowest of moments.
“If I have a bad game, it’s easy for him to tell that I’m down on myself,” De’Sean said. “During the game we’ll be jawing back and forth, but afterward it’s, ‘come on, we need you to lock in’. We’re the first person there for each other, telling each other good play.”
Team success, not individual glory, is what drives them both. They realize their own goals are the same as the team’s, which has hopes of making the kind of deep postseason run that greeted the Golmonds when they were cheering on the Yellow Jackets, amid a sold-out crowd, in the new stadium as freshmen.
“We’re driven by winning,” Da’Jean said. “It’s the same thing with the guys in the locker room. Everyone’s selfless.” We want to win; we want to do it together.”