New twins on the block: Kazian brothers shining in first year with Eastside soccer

This season, two new faces are making their presence known for Eastside boys soccer.

Frazor and Hunter Kazian may not look exactly alike, but Eastside’s new set of twins is putting on a show early in the year. 

Through four region games, the brothers have combined for nine goals and seven assists as a dynamic midfield duo.

“This has been great for us so far [at Eastside],” said Frazor after the Eagles’ 3-0 win over rival Riverside on March 12. “The team unity here is special. We win as a group and lose as a group; it doesn’t matter. We’re all together in it.”

“We’re all united here,” said Hunter. “And the more we play together, the more I think we’ll become even closer and play even better.”

Before this season, the Kazian twins were homeschooled. They were previously zoned for Wade Hampton High School and played with the Generals the last two seasons.

But after their family moved into Eastside’s school zone, the brothers began attending public school for the first time this year. Eastside, they both say, has felt like home from the start. 

As for the soccer pitch, however, being at Eastside going was always going to feel like home. Frazor and Hunter’s father, Jason, serves as an assistant for Eastside soccer.

“This is the first time we’ve truly played for our dad since we were like, eight,” said Hunter. “It’s been great. When we were at Wade Hampton, it was hard because he couldn’t ever really come to our games. We were on separate paths, but now it’s fun getting to be together.”

For Jason, Eastside’s seasoned assistant coach, he was in a predicament in past years when his sons played at the rival school down the road. 

There was one scenario he used to pray for, he joked, every time his Eagles played Wade Hampton.

“They both score a goal, but we [Eastside] score three or more as a team and beat them,” said Jason, laughing. “That way, everyone goes home pretty happy. Everyone’s a winner.”

This year, Jason can avoid any conflicts of interest. He gets to root for both of his sons in blue and yellow. Early into the season, the Kazian twins have added a new dynamic to Eastside’s midfield and attack.

“These two have brought so much to our team this year,” said Eastside head coach Stephen Wood. “Frazor’s calmness and field vision are just incredible. He’s a bit more of the flashy player, but while Hunter is a little quieter, he helps us on the pitch in so many ways, doing so much of the dirty work.

“The best part about it is that because they’ve played together for so long, their connection on the pitch is just unbelievable.” 

Wood was great friends and teammates with Jason at Bob Jones University in the 2000s, so he’s known Frazor and Hunter since they were young. 

The twins grew up playing together with a soccer ball at their feet. That lifelong love for the sport — and the brotherly connection — has been evident in their high school careers.

“We’ve basically played on the same team our entire lives,” said Frazor. “This is actually the first time we’ve both played in the middle together. But it’s almost like we both know where the other is going to run, even before it happens. We don’t even have to look.”

“Growing up together, that chemistry on the field happens sort of naturally,” said Hunter. “It’s been really fun having that here [at Eastside].”

In Eastside’s 3-0 win over Riverside, Hunter scored for the third consecutive game, while Frazor racked up assists on the other two goals.

The Eagles have high aspirations of capturing a wide-open 5-A Region 2 this season, along with making a state run in Class 5-A Division 2.

The new twins on the block will certainly lend helping hands to that cause.

“We all have the same mission here,” said Frazor. “We have big goals. We want to win every time we step on the pitch.”

“[Frazor and Hunter] have brought a new element to our team, for sure,” said Wood. “And this team is close to the most talented we’ve had. But this group is, without a doubt, the hardest workers we’ve had. If they keep working this hard every match, we can do big things.” 

For more coverage of Greer-area athletics, follow @GreerNewsSports on X.