There are dueling paintings in the Muscarella household in Newbury Park.

The work of brothers Vinny and Phil, each from their vintage eighth-grade art class period, is displayed prominently in the dining room, from where the great debate continues to rage.

"We argue over whose is better," said Vinnie.

"Everyone says mine is better," interrupted Phil.

Vinny, 17, and Phil, 15, can go on all day like this. Actually, they've gone on like this for much of their life, whether the contest was art or sport, lunch or dinner.

"We usually eat quick and argue over who has to do the dishes," said Vinny.

Then they usually wrestle.

"We're competitive in every single aspect of life," said Vinny. "Anything we do, it's a competition."

Vinny was about 8 and Phil wasn't yet 7 the day they first strapped on a couple sets of those faux football pads made of plastic and went at it on the front yard.

"It runs in the family," said their father, Mike.

The Muscarellas originated in Sicily, came to California via Cherry Hill, N.J., and have since made their mark on Newbury Park.

Joe and Rosina Muscarella had 10 children, eight boys and two girls. A Muscarella was enrolled and participating in the Panthers athletic program from 1967, when the doors of Newbury Park High first opened, until 17 years later.

"How many did I coach? How many did I get?" said George Hurley, who coached nearly every member of the family as the football and wrestling coach. "They wrestled. They played football. The girls were stat girls when I was a wrestling coach. They did everything in this school."

And now the second generation has arrived. With authority.

Both brothers were big parts of the football team's Martmonte League championship and CIF semifinalist season this past fall. Both are key starters on the boys' soccer team that opened Marmonte League play Friday with a 4-1 win over Calabasas.

Vinny, a speedster playing up front, scored twice. Phil, a tough and skillful utility player, filled a hole in defensive midfield with a steadiness beyond his years.

"Phillip started last year as a freshman," said Newbury Park boys' soccer coach Guy Sanford. "He's just an incredible athlete.

"Vinny is small, quick and deceptive.

"They stand out."

Which was something Vinny wasn't about to let his little brother do on the football field this fall by himself.

He had never played an organized game of football before coming out as a senior.

"I guess he got a little bit jealous," said Phil, twisting the knife. "He couldn't see me succeeding in something and not try it himself."

Yet the little brother actually takes pride in watching his older brother succeed in his footsteps.

"Usually, I look up to my brother," said Phil. "But in this one thing, I finally get to say, You copied me this time.' "

Vinny shocked everyone but himself, catching 29 passes for 561 yards and four touchdowns, running for a 29-yard score against rival Thousand Oaks and returning a kickoff 86 yards for a score against Oak Park.

"Vinny was only there to score touchdowns," said Hurley. "He returned a kickoff for a touchdown, so the next week he asked, What's the school record for running back kickoffs?'

"He got one, the next week he didn't get one; he was mad."

But Phil, the sophomore, was the Panthers' real breakout star, catching 38 passes for 628 yards and nine touchdowns as a receiver, making 78 tackles at safety and, when kicker and soccer teammate David Matick was injured, kicking a game-winning field goal in the CIF semifinal at Valencia.

"Usually, a sophomore is a little timid and maybe intimidated," said Hurley. "(Phil) wasn't affected one bit.

"It probably comes from having 86 aunts and uncles."

The Muscarella brothers may spend their days at each other's throats. But compared to what they do to their Marmonte League competition, it's just brotherly love.