Lane brothers sparking Highland football

One twin is 6-foot-2 and 180 pounds. The other is 5-foot-9 and 162 pounds.

One is better known for defense. The other is better known for offense.

Their coach says they are different in playing style and personality.

"It's weird," Highland coach Craig Stinson said. "You never would take them for twins."

The Lane brothers, Derrell and Terrell, might not be typical twins. But they are twice the trouble for Tartans' opponents.

The seniors have helped Highland emerge as one of the surprising teams of the South Jersey football season. The Tartans, who haven't managed a winning record since 1993, are 3-2, with a legitimate chance to qualify for the Group 3 tournament.

"Everthing has changed," said Derrell Lane, the older and taller of the twins. "We've been working hard. People used to talk about Highland football in a negative way, but we use that as motivation."

Derrell Lane is star defensive back. He wears No. 21. He also plays tight end but is drawing interest from colleges such as Maryland for his speed, instincts and hitting ability on defense.

Terrell Lane is a speedy running back. He wears No. 1. He also plays cornerback at times and is the Tartans' main kick returner. But he's made most of his impact as a ball-carrier.

"They are playing at a high, high level," Stinson said.

Highland has had eight losing seasons in a row. The Tartans were 1-9 in 2008.

But under Stinson, a former assistant now in is first year as head coach, Highland has made major strides. The Tartans scored a significant victory on Oct. 9, beating Bridgeton, 35-21, in a non-conference game.

That's the same Bridgeton team that beat St. Joseph's, which beat Holy Spirit, which took apart previously undefeated and defending Group 4 sectional champion Mainland last weekend.

"That meant a lot to our school, our community and our program," Terrell Lane said of the victory over Bridgeton.

Highland has a big-time player in running back/defensive end Sean Daniels, who is being heavily recruited by Rutgers, among other Division I programs. Daniels scored four touchdowns against Bridgeton.

But it's been the emergence of the athletes such as the Lane brothers that has enabled Highland to take that big step to respectability.

Derrell Lane leads the Tartans in tackles with 34 and interceptions with three. Stinson said Derrell Lane was a big key to the victory over Bridgeton.

"He was running people down all over the field," said Stinson, whose team is scheduled to play Gloucester City Friday night. "With the rabbits they have over there, we would have been in trouble if Derrell wasn't tracking them down."

Terrell Lane has 365 rushing yards on 41 carries (8.9-yard average). He's scored three touchdowns. He also has returned three kickoffs for 94 yards (31.3-yard average) and one punt for 33 yards.

"He's a track guy," Stinson said. "When he kicks it into gear, he goes."

Stinson said the Lane brothers as well as fellow captains Daniels and Ryan Sellers have been instrumental to the team's improvement through their senior leadership.

"Those guys have been outstanding," Stinson said of his four senior captains. "They've set the table for what these young guys have to do in the future to keep the program going."

The Lane brothers have been playing football together since their days in the G.T. Stallions youth program in Sicklerville. Up until recently, they were roughly the same size.

"All of a sudden, Derrell rose up," Terrell said. "I was like, 'Dang.' "

The brothers might not look like typical twins, but they have a special bond. Terrell Lane said he always catches Derrell's eye in the huddle and always can count on his sibling both on and off the field.

"He's always there for me, and I'm always there for him," Terrell Lane said. "We're trying to get people to notice us. We want them to say, 'Look at the Lane brothers in the end zone again.' "