Could you imagine a a two-time World Series-winning MLB player outshining a current NFL superstar wide receiver on the high school football field? Well, that is the story of Joc Pederson, who plays for MLB’s Texas Rangers, and Davante Adams of the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams, who will be playing in the NFC Conference Championship Game against the Seattle Seahawks this Sunday.
Both current-day professional athletes attended Palo Alto High School in California, where in 2009, they formed a dynamic duo as wide receivers. The duo even had a catchy nickname called “X-Power.” Under the guidance of legendary coach Earl Hansen, known as the “Silver Fox” for his over 200 career wins and having coached future NFL QB Jim Harbaugh, these two thrived in the 2009 season.
Pederson, a senior, was already a multi-sport standout, excelling in football, basketball, and baseball. Adams, a junior that year, was just stepping into organized high school football after a hiatus due to a broken arm in eighth grade. Paths crossed for these two earlier in middle school as basketball teammates and close friends, with Pederson recalling Adams’ highlight-reel dunks on the basketball court.
A viral X post from @MLFootball last week highlighted their stats and a highlight reel from a game against Milpitas, showing quarterback TJ Braff connecting with Pederson for an 18-yard gain and then with Adams for an 11-yard catch that led to a touchdown.
The post, which has 1.9 million views, reminded fans of Pederson’s role as WR1, with Adams as the up-and-coming sidekick.
Glory Days at Palo Alto High School
The 2009 Palo Alto Vikings finished with a solid 7-2-2 record, a testament to their balanced attack.
Pederson led the receiving corps with 30 catches for 650 yards, averaging 21.7 yards per reception, and nine touchdowns. Adams, in his debut high school season, wasn’t far behind, hauling in 25 receptions for 484 yards and seven scores.
Coach Hansen praised Adams’ rapid learning curve, noting, “Basically, his first year, he knew what he was supposed to do but he didn’t know what the others were supposed to do. It didn’t take long.”
The team’s offense revolved around quarterback play from Braff, with highlights like the Milpitas game showcasing Pederson’s reliability and Adams’ emerging elusiveness.
Beyond the field, their multi-sport backgrounds added depth. Both were basketball stars, with Pederson describing Adams as someone who could “juke you” effortlessly, evading tackles like no other.
Brotherhood On and Off the Field
Their relationship transcended typical teammate dynamics. Adams called Pederson “a dog” and “a hell of a player,” crediting him as the “old head wideout” who taught him invaluable lessons in toughness and trash-talking.
Pederson, in turn, admired Adams’ post-catch quickness, saying, “If there’s one person trying to tackle him, that one person’s not going to tackle him. Not even touch him, really.”
This mutual admiration stemmed from years of friendship. Pederson watched Adams grow from a lively-leaping middle schooler to a football force, while Adams learned from Pederson’s studious approach across sports.
Even after high school, they stayed connected through texts, with Pederson following Adams’ rise at Fresno State and in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers and Las Vegas Raiders (before now landing with the Rams), noting, “He’s hungry to get better, and it’s been a fun journey to watch.”
Hansen’s coaching style fostered this bond, emphasizing team over individual. The “X-Power” nickname captured their synergy, where Pederson’s seniority complemented Adams’ raw potential, creating a foundation for lifelong respect.
From Palo Alto to the Pros
Post-high school, their trajectories split ways dramatically.
Pederson, drafted in the 11th round by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2010, made his MLB debut in September 2014, and has since played many different teams including the Chicago Cubs (2021), Atlanta Braves (2021), San Francisco Giants (2022-23), Arizona Diamondbacks (2024), and now the Rangers.
Over his MLB career, Pederson has a .237 lifetime batting average to go along with 218 home runs and 575 RBI.
Adams, an unranked recruit who earned a Fresno State scholarship, was picked in the second round by the Green Bay Packers in 2014, making his pro debut just three days after Pederson.
Over his NFL career, Adams has 1,017 receptions for 12,633 yards and 117 touchdowns.
Advantage: Adams.
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