When Lou Ratcliffe made an electrifying sack for the Lyons Township High School football team against rival Hinsdale Central last season, twin brother Joe delivered the perfect response.
“That’s my bro,” Joe Ratcliffe exclaimed.
Many heard him – and still are hearing those words these days.
Joe is a play-by-play sports broadcaster for WLTL-FM 88.1, the high school’s radio station. The reaction to Lou’s big play was live on-air calling the game.
“I remember going nuts and it’s so corny but it was great in the moment, kind of great looking back,” Joe said. “(Co-broadcaster Alec Mulvenna) said something like, ‘If you don’t know why he’s freaking out, that’s his brother.’”
The Ratcliffes are doubly excited about their final fall high school seasons in different sports.
Lou is a starting linebacker for the football team (7-2), which is the No. 13 seed in the Class 8A playoffs. They open at home against No. 20 York (6-3) at 7 p.m. Oct. 31 after just beating the Dukes 34-26 Friday.
Joe is the starting goalie for the LTHS soccer team (17-4-2), which beat Downers Grove North 1-0 Saturday in the 3A Downers North Regional final — the program’s 12th consecutive regional championship. The sectional semifinal was Tuesday.
“It’s definitely huge because ever since we were kids we’ve been playing on the same teams,” Lou said. “I think that’s where I get a lot of firepower, strength because he’s always pushing me, I’m always pushing him.”
Joe continues to provide WLTL play by play for football and other sports. A framed QR code with Joe’s now infamous sack call became a Christmas present that hangs in the family’s summer home in Whitewater, Wis. for family and friends to relive.
“It has 100 percent been a blessing for sure (being with Lou). I’m very happy that we’re both at the top of our games right now and it’s been really fun,” Joe said.
“It’s been nice, especially in the stands as he’s doing something on the field. It’s fun because everybody’s pushing me around like, ‘Yeah, that’s Lou.’”
Most people recognize the Ratcliffes as brothers but not twins. They agree that Lou looks older, especially when he briefly had a moustache.
“I think people know we have a twin but a lot of times, they don’t connect the dots,” Lou said. “They know we have a brother, but it takes a couple of introductions, which is kind of funny.”
There’s a bit of humor regarding the issue of exactly how much Lou is older. Lou insists it’s by a minute and a half.
“That’s a lie,” Joe said. “I don’t know why he says a minute and a half. I’ve confirmed with my mother it is a minute.”
“Joe will say a minute,” Lou responded. “I think my mom says a minute but dad says a minute and a half so I’ll take every minute that I can get.”
Otherwise, the Ratcliffes do share common sports interests and friend groups but differences in approaching their sports.
Besides the often varying mentalities between football and soccer, Joe said he’s even more relaxed because this is his final season of organized soccer. He plans to study broadcasting in college.
“(Lou) is very intense and he wants to win, super dedicated to football,” Joe said.
“Obviously (I’m) very determined – we’ve got lofty goals for the post(season) – but I kind of take a more laid back approach and try to enjoy it more because it’s my last year.”
The twins’ similarities aren’t always planned. This fall, they both are wearing jersey No. 1 but only through unrelated circumstances.
Joe wore soccer’s No. 0 in 2024. No. 1 is the only other jersey for goalies.
“I was 0 last year, didn’t have a great year and so I was like, ‘I’m going to change it up,’” Joe said.
Lou, who was No. 27 as a junior, is among many returning varsity football seniors with different numbers.
When Lou’s selection time came, No. 1 still was available.
“Especially for football, I wasn’t planning on being No. 1 but then the spot was kind of open. I thought, ‘Why not take it, senior year, kind of a memorable number,’” Lou said.
“It was not planned (to both be No. 1). I wish that I could say it was, but it wasn’t.”
Lou also plays third base and outfield for the LTHS baseball team and is considering college baseball.
Lou and Joe were longtime baseball teammates until high school, when Joe began focusing on soccer. Joe’s hand-eye coordination skills from baseball have helped him play goalie for as long as he can remember.
With no club soccer this spring, Joe is considering joining an LTHS spring sport, possibly baseball. Still, there might be another memorable call or two remaining with WLTL.
“(His sack call) kind of brought us together, the two worlds collide kind of thing,” Lou said.
“That was definitely a fun brother moment for sure. There’s more good calls to come in the playoffs but that’s definitely the most fun one we’ve had (so far).”