A friend across the line

They sit next to each other at the kitchen table like oversized stuffed animals propped up on a bedroom shelf.

They are grown young men, but with the eyes of children.

They are natural enemies, but with the hearts of brothers.

"You're stronger," Jose Victoria says.

"You're faster," Chris Moreno says.

They grew up together in this East L.A. neighborhood, in the shadow of a freeway, bars on their windows but freedom in their friendship.

They were in grade school together, Boy Scouts together, youth sports together, separated only by six cluttered blocks that they would happily skip to share a tamale dinner or Madden marathon.

Victoria is tall and thick with a smooth, boyish face, Moreno is shorter and rounder with a beard, but they act like twins.

"We were always the two biggest kids," Victoria says.

"So we just sort of stuck together," Moreno says.

Meeting for this interview at Victoria's house this week, they laugh at each other's jokes, finish each other's sentences, pat each other on the back in the firm but gentle way of those who are connected.

"My best friend," Victoria says.

"Yeah, best friends," Moreno says.

All of which shades this most vibrant of Friday nights in a deep streak of vicious.

For the 75th time in this city's greatest sports rivalry, soul mates like Jose Victoria and Chris Moreno will be asked to tear each other's heart out.

Victoria is a senior defensive lineman for Garfield High. Moreno is a senior offensive lineman for Roosevelt High.

At East Los Angeles College tonight, their teams will meet in that street-splitting battle for neighborhood ownership known as the East L.A. Classic.

Victoria will rush the quarterback. Moreno will line up directly across from his buddy and try to stop him.

After spending 18 short years living shoulder to shoulder, they will spend two long hours fighting helmet to helmet, taking their place in a battle that started long before they were born, trying to forge a memory that will last the rest of their lives.

Their words say it won't be hard. Their voices say it will be nearly impossible.

"You know, when the game starts, the friendship thing goes away," Victoria says.

"Oh yeah, sure," Moreno says.

"But I mean, if I knock you down, I'll pick you back up," Victoria says.

"Oh yeah, same here," Moreno says.