Siegel twins share more than name
MURFREESBORO – Twin brothers Andrew and Andre Knox have played football together since they were 9 years old.
The 17-year-olds have played on the same teams and even played some of the same positions as they’ve grown up playing the sport in Rutherford County, first in junior pro then in middle school and now for Siegel High.
As the duo – both seniors and both two-way starters for the Stars – embarks on what will likely be their final year wearing the same jersey, they want to be sure they enjoy it as much as they can.
“It’s always been that way. I’ve never not played with him,” Andrew Knox said. “It never felt weird because I’ve been with him my whole life. It would have felt more weird playing without him than playing with him. It’s just a connection.”
Their connection on the football field got even better once they got to middle school and both started playing the same position of running back. Andrew Knox said he used his brother’s accomplishments and habits to drive him to be a better player. Andre Knox echoed his older brother’s – by three minutes – sentiment too.
“It was one thing to be playing with him,” Andre Knox said. “(But) when middle school came and we got put in the backfield together, it was a stronger bond.
“It was almost like on any lead blocks, ... you knew (the defenders) weren’t going to touch you regardless of who was blocking for who. It was different than just having a friend or somebody else lead blocking for you. It was a better experience.”
The camaraderie developed when the two were in the same backfield in middle school has carried over to their high school careers, so much in fact that the brothers will be two of the team’s biggest and most experienced offensive weapons entering their senior seasons.
As backups to Mr. Football finalist Denzel Harding in 2013, they combined for 1,195 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns. They also caught 34 passes for 411 yards.
The two likely won’t be on the field together on offense as much as in the past. But they still have big plans.
“We’re going to go out with bang,” Andrew Knox said. “We want people to remember the Knox brothers at Siegel. We want to leave our mark.”
Contact Will Borthick at 615-278-5167 or wborthick@dnj.com. Follow him on Twitter @willborthick.
2014 SCHEDULE
Date | Opponents | Time |
|---|---|---|
Aug. 22 | Riverdale | 7 p.m. |
Aug. 29 | Ooltewah | 7:30 p.m. |
Sept. 5 | Oakland | 7 p.m. |
Sept. 12 | at McCallie | 6:30 p.m. |
Sept. 19 | at Science Hill | 6:30 p.m. |
Sept. 26 | at Beech | 7 p.m. |
Oct. 3 | Smyrna | 7 p.m. |
Oct. 10 | Open | |
Oct. 17 | at Stewarts Creek | 7 p.m. |
Oct. 24 | at Blackman | 7 p.m. |
Oct. 31 | at La Vergne | 7 p.m. |
2013 RESULTS
Date | Opponents | Result |
|---|---|---|
Aug. 23 | Blackman | L 42-21 |
Aug. 30 | at Ooltewah | W 58-47 |
Sept. 6 | at Oakland | L 35-25 |
Sept. 13 | McCallie | W 34-31 |
Sept. 20 | Science Hill | W 64-38 |
Sept. 26 | Beech | W 54-21 |
Oct. 4 | at Smyrna | W 35-7 |
Oct. 10 | Open | |
Oct. 18 | Stewarts Creek | W 54-7 |
Oct. 25 | at Riverdale | L 21-19 |
Nov. 1 | La Vergne | W 52-25 |
*Nov. 8 | at Antioch | W 54-14 |
*Nov. 15 | at Oakland | L 35-0 |
*Playoff game
FAST FACTS
Head coach: Greg Wyant, fifth season (34-14, 34-14 overall)
2012: 8-4 overall, 3-2 in 7-AAA
Starters returning: 4 offense/6 defense
Stadium name: Ken Nolan Stadium
Last time in playoffs: 2013, eliminated in second round in Class 6A (5-4 all-time)
Team Website: SiegelStarsFootball.com
Twitter: @StarsFootball