Jessica Cornelius and her brother, Dustin, share a lot more similarities than just a last name.

They live in the same home in Niles. Both are high school English teachers. Both graduated from Niles High School. And both serve as advisors for their high school student cheering sections.

However, one key difference has them on opposite sides of the court this week.

Jessica is one of three advisors for Buchanan High School’s student cheering section, known as “The Herd,” while her brother is one of two advisors for Dowagiac Union High School’s student cheering section, called “The Attack.”

Buchanan and Dowagiac are two of five finalists in the state’s Battle of the Fans competition, sponsored by the MHSAA.

And, over the next two days, people from across the state will be voting for their favorite student section.

Even though Jessica and Dustin are cheering for different schools, the two have nothing but positive things to say about the other’s cheering section.

That, Jessica says, is the essence behind Battle of the Fans. The MHSAA is looking for schools that can build their team up without putting another team down.

“To see two schools in Southwest Michigan in the top five in the state is an accomplishment in itself,” said Jessica. “We are happy for them and I am sure they are happy for us. For me, if I am going to lose to anybody I want it to be Dowagiac.”

“That’s how we feel about it too,” Dustin said. “We want to win, but we feel in our hearts that we are one of the top two schools left. It’s us and Buchanan. To win would be great, but we hope one of us gets chosen.”

Just when you thought the rivalry could not get any more friendly, Dustin revealed that Jessica helped edit the video Dowagiac used to enter this year’s contest.

In return, Jessica said her brother — a part-time DJ — produced the “mash up” music Buchanan used during halftime of its games.

“We use our resources for each other,” Jessica said.

“But, just yesterday, she said she isn’t helping us anymore — the gloves are off,” Dustin said.

Buchanan won the Battle of the Fans in 2013 and has made the finals three straight years.

After watching Buchanan’s success, Dustin said Dowagiac modeled their student cheering section after The Herd.

“For us it wasn’t as much about sports and cheering sections as it was about changing the culture of our school. When Jess won, she said it made an impact in grades and attitudes and enthusiasm,” Dustin said. “For me that was the biggest thing. We wanted to do this because we wanted to make Dowagiac a better place.”

People can vote for their favorite team on the MHSAA’s YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram social media sites. More information is online at mhsaa.com.

Voting began Tuesday and ends at 4 p.m. Thursday.

Other Battle of the Fans finalists are Beaverton, St. John’s and Yale.

The MHSAA Student Advisory Council will consider social media activity when selecting the Battle of the Fans champion for 2015.

Schools entered the contest by sending the MHSAA videos of their student cheering sections in action. Five finalists were selected and the MHSAA visited each school recently to watch the student sections live.