Two sets of twins help Dillon reach state final

DILLON — After taking a hit from Dillon’s defense, there’s a chance a ball carrier will come up seeing double.

And it might not have anything to do with the actual force of the hit.

Dillon football has always been a family affair, but the Wildcats have taken things to a different level this year with two sets of identical twins playing defense.

Juniors Antuawn and Anquawn Blue patrol the Dillon secondary and catch passes while seniors Stacy and Tracy Rowell anchor the Wildcats’ defensive line and linebacking corps, respectively.

Collectively, they’re a big reason Dillon will play Central for the Class 2A state championship at Clemson today at noon.

Dillon’s defense has held opponents to 10.6 points and 147.9 yards per game. The Wildcats have also made a living off turnovers with 45.

“We’ll need big games from everyone, but if we can get some turnovers in the secondary or some fumbles, I think we have a good shot,” Dillon coach Jackie Hayes said of his team’s chances against Central. “We’ve had guys step up big all year.”

Perhaps none more so than the Blue brothers. Dillon returned just one starter in the secondary from last season and Hayes was looking for replacements. He put both Antuawn and Anquawn out there, not really knowing what to expect.

His fears were soon put to rest.

“I think the biggest thing is that both Antuawn and Anquawn have matured beyond what I thought they would after last year,” Hayes said. “They’ve really stepped in and put up good numbers for us on offense and defense.”

Antuawn has started at defensive back and receiver the entire season. He’s racked up 35 tackles and four interceptions on defense and 28 catches for 435 yards and seven touchdowns on offense. He’s also returned 10 punts for 115 yards and a score.

“(Anquawn and I) both kind of learned the ropes together,” Antuawn said. “He helped me on defense and I helped him on offense.

“We both knew we had to step up this season so that’s what we did. It helps having someone out there you can talk to and ask things. We kind of think alike.”

Anquawn moved from linebacker to defensive back at the beginning of the season and has responded with 40 tackles and four interceptions.

When Lorenzo Allen, Dillon’s third-leading receiver, went down with a broken leg against Manning, the Wildcats moved Anquawn to starting wideout as well.

“I like playing offense,” he said. “I had to learn some new positions this year, so that took a while to get used to. But Antuawn has helped me out. We have a good relationship and a pretty healthy competition out there.”

Unlike the Blues, Stacy and Tracy started for the Wildcats in the eighth grade and have been key players in Dillon’s run-stuffing defense ever since.

“They’re both strong players who’ve done a good job for us in their careers and this year,” Hayes said.

Tracy is tied for the team lead with four sacks and has 61 tackles. Stacy helps anchor a defensive line allowing 70.6 rushing yards a game.

“We know what to expect from each other,” Tracy said. “If the (ball carrier) gets by him, he knows he can count on me. If I miss a sack, I know he’s there to back me up.
“That’s kind of how we are on this team.”

Both brothers have a healthy competition between them, too.

“We like to see who’s going to make more tackles and who’s going to get the bigger hits,” Stacy said. “But it’s been fun playing alongside each other. Hopefully, we can both earn a state ring for us and coach Hayes and go out as champions.”