Usually Rockdale twins Taylor and Tyler Anderson get double takes off the field, but this season, the twins are getting second looks from opposing offensive linemen.

The 17-year-old identical twins are key components to a Rockdale defense that held Salem to 100 yards of total offense a week ago.

Taylor, who plays defensive end for the Bulldogs, and Tyler, who stands out at the linebacker position, have a long history of competition that has
driven them to excel on the gridiron.

"When you have your brother around all of the time, it's a competition thing," Taylor said. "You want to be better than them and they want to be better than you. We're on each other all of the time. We learn and get better from each other."

Taylor, who was born 30 second before his brother, was named Rockdale's Defensive Standout Player of the Game against the Seminoles. Tyler also had a productive night against Salem, grabbing the Seminoles' onside kick at the start of the second half with the Bulldogs leading 14-0.

Tyler said that after the team's opening win of the year against Salem that the
Bulldogs still have more to prove.

"I thought the first game went well," Tyler said. "We still want more. Penalties set us back a bit, but we can already see a change in the program."

The brothers, who began their football playing careers at the ripe old age of 5, said that the direction of the program under second-year head coach Vinson Elder is moving the Bulldogs in the right direction and that the program's goal is to bring pride back to Rockdale County.

"We want a ring," Tyler said. "That's what we're aiming for. We want to do it for all of our teammates and the fans. All of the running, training, practices, it's all for them; it's all for Rockdale."

"There has been a lot of running this offseason," Taylor said. "We've worked on our conditioning so that we can stay well-equipped in the fourth quarter. We never want to get tired. Working together as a team and making it a team effort. That's what is going to make us better and standout against the rest of the teams."

The brothers are no strangers to hard work. Their father, Herman Anderson, helped lead the Norfolk State Spartans football team to the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association national title in 1984. Anderson, like his sons, starred on the defensive side of the ball.

"When I played I used to like to hit," the elder Anderson said. "I see that in them. Shorts, pads or whatever; when they're on the field and you watch them, it brings back memories. Being their father and watching them play, it gives me pride, but when other coaches and teachers come up to them and tell them that they've had a heck of a game, that's the best support they can get."

Anderson said that while his sons have been in constant competition since their birth, football has allowed them a great opportunity to grow together.

"They're having fun playing the greatest game in the world," Anderson said. "Football teaches you a lot about life. They have big goals for this team and they want to help the program accomplish them. They're looking toward a state title and want to take the Bulldogs there."

Anderson said there was just one drawback to having twin teenage football players.
"They're monsters," he said. "Unfortunately, I have to feed them."

The "monsters" helped lead the Bulldogs to their first win over Heritage since 2008 Friday night, ending a 4-game losing streak to the Patriots. The Bulldogs' defense forced a pair of fumbles in the win.

With feature games against Lovejoy, Newton and Alcovy still to come this season, the Anderson brothers will have plenty of opportunity to turn more heads on the field in the coming months.