Donald Lopes has been watching football in Wareham for over 50 years, but he’d never seen three siblings score touchdowns for the Wareham Tigers on the same day. That is, he hadn’t seen it until his grandsons all broke the plane of the end zone on rival Taunton’s field about a week ago.

“I’ve never seen where they had three kids that were brothers that scored—they’ve never had that,” said Lopes. “Not all the years I’ve been around.”

The three brothers—Justin Jr., Avyn, and Ajay Lopes—all ran for touchdowns on October 5.

Justin Jr., 13, is in the eighth grade at Wareham Middle School and plays for the “B-squad,” the oldest group to play youth football in Wareham. He’s played for the Tigers for five years now, and plays both quarterback and running back. His brother Avyn, 11, is a running back for the “D-squad.” The third brother, Ajay, 9, is in his first year for the Tigers, and he is a running back for the “E-squad,” the youngest age group within the Tiger organization.

Justin Sr., the boys’ father, said the three come from a long line of Lopeses to play football.

His father Donald was a standout player at Wareham High School, and Donald’s cousin Lenny Lopes was another Viking standout who he said had a chance to play for the Patriots, but he died in a car accident before he got his shot. Donald’s other cousin Gene Lopes was another former Wareham standout who was offered a scholarship to Ohio State University. And Wayne Lopes, Justin Sr.’s cousin, played for Taunton High School.

“I tease them all the time—I say, ‘It’s in your genes—Lopes is a good name for Wareham football,’” said Justin Sr.

George Carter, who lives next door to the Lopeses in Onset, said he too has been watching Wareham football for more than 50 years, and he didn’t recall the feat ever being matched, either.

“I’ve never heard of three siblings scoring a touchdown on the same day,” said Carter, adding that he remembers Donald being a “heck of a football player,” as well. “I believe that’s the only time it’s happened in the over 50 or 60 years the league’s been around”

“I’m very proud of my brothers,” said Justin Jr., who has helped lead the “B-squad” to a 5-1 record this season.

Justin Jr. was the first to score on the day, and his touchdown was followed by brother Avyn’s.

“I had to score,” said Ajay after seeing his two brothers reach the end zone. “After I did, I felt happy for all of us.”

Justin Sr. said that the two younger brothers look up to their older brother Justin, and Donald said that the two oldest brothers, Justin Jr. and Avyn, have always been very competitive with each other.

He said all three brothers are talented basketball players.

Star, 6, the boys’ sister, is a cheerleader for the Tigers, so one could say Sundays are a family affair for the Lopes family, carrying on the tradition that their grandfather and cousins started.

“I’m a proud mom,” added Andrea Lopes, the boys’ mother.

The only negative to come out of the situation, according to Justin Sr., is that all the touchdowns are keeping his pockets a little lighter than he’s used to.

“I’m broke because I give them money for every touchdown,” he said, “but I’m excited for them definitely.”