The concept of the Poplar Bluff football Mules as a family has been a strong emphasis since Jeff Mannon took command of the program earlier this year. So it’s only logical the Mules’ center-quarterback connection is family — not only figuratively, but also literally. Poplar Bluff center Kade Busse and quarterback Jay Edmundson are first cousins — Edmundson’s father Matt and Busse’s mother Lorrie are brother and sister — meaning the two share a connection which goes far beyond the football field. “We can be more honest with each other, because we already know each other,” Edmundson said, “and it allows us to be more on the same page.” Mannon said the cousins’ family direction dovetails nicely with the Mules’ philosophy this season. “That’s one thing we’ve preached together as a team is family this year,” Mannon said. “We started that with our parent meeting that we had whenever I got hired. … We’re all family together, and then to actually have family members just makes it easier and easier.” More than that, the cousins have athletics in their blood. Edmundson’s father played football for the Mules in the mid-to-late 1980s, while Busse’s mother was a standout on the Lady Mules basketball team in the mid-1980s and his father, Kent, played football at Southeast Missouri State University. “It’s pretty cool,” Busse said. “(We’ve) got good genes.” Edmundson said his father sees him following in his footsteps. “He loves it,” Edmundson said of his father. “He loves being out here and loves seeing me play. And I love it too.” The two have played together since kindergarten and have been in pads since third grade. “I’ve played with him since I was a little kid,” Busse said. “We used to go over to his house (and I would) practice snapping to him. It’s pretty cool.” Added Edmundson: “Each level (as) you go up, it’s just another milestone.” Edmundson took the reins of the Mules’ offense at quarterback last season as a junior — and this season, Busse has joined his cousin in Poplar Bluff’s starting lineup. “Busse’s been a backup center the last few years (but) he had a really good summer and put in the work,” Mannon said. “He’s been a leader on that O-line. It’s just been awesome watching him grow this summer.” The season is just one game old, but the Mules’ offense — which starts with Busse snapping the ball to Edmundson — has shown it can rack up yards. Poplar Bluff totaled 356 yards in its season opener last Friday against Valley View. Edmundson had a hand in 314 of those yards, throwing for 213 yards and running for 101 more. “It’s not just them being cousins,” Mannon said. “It’s that whole senior group. Those kids have all played football together since they were little kids. And it’s just nice watching it come to culmination.” After more than a decade of playing together and now starting their 10th season in pads, Busse said what has stood out the most is “just how fun it is to have your family member behind you at quarterback,” Busse said. Last but not least, the cousins know they can rely on each other. “I know he’s always got my back,” Busse said. “If I mess up, he’ll be there to reassure (me he’s) got my back.”