Pick Your Poison: Linganore High football opponents are confronted with the task of stopping twins Jeremy and Landon Allen

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

Just as a new season was getting underway, Linganore High’s football opponent already faced a pick-your-poison moment.

Twin brothers Landon and Jeremy Allen were back to receive the season-opening kickoff on Sept. 5, weeks after transferring to their hometown high school from Good Counsel in Olney.

They were seeking a better opportunity for their senior season, and it just so happened to arrive almost instantaneously.

As the Lancers (11-0) prepare to host Milford Mill (10-0) at 6 p.m. Friday in a Class 3A state semifinal between two of the state’s giants in high school football 12 weeks later, no two newcomers have made more of an impact for Linganore than the Allen twins.

Mervo discovered that right away, sending that season-opening kick in the direction of Landon Allen. The Mustangs paid dearly for that choice.

“I remember taking [the return] to the left. Someone tried to hit me. I spun out, ran into someone. There was, like, two guys on me, and they just didn’t didn’t take me to the ground, and I outran everyone,” said Allen, who returned the kick 77 yards for a touchdown to give the Lancers’ season an immediate jolt.

In a remarkable sequence, Mervo returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown — yes, back-to-back kickoff returns for touchdowns to start a season. But, undeterred, the Lancers went on to a 36-27 road win over the Mustangs (10-1), who host Old Mill (10-2) in a 4A-3A state semifinal Friday.

The following week, Meade High thought it was making the wise decision against Linganore by kicking the ball away from Landon only to discover that sending the ball Jeremy’s way really wasn’t a better option.

He bolted down the left sideline and, with the help of some terrific blocking, scored on an 85-yard return, virtually untouched.

What were the odds? Twin brothers each returning opening kickoffs for touchdowns in back-to-back games to start a season?

“Probably not as far a stretch as you might have tought,” Linganore coach Rick Conner said.

Especially when you consider how virtually inseparable they have been for their entire lives. If Jeremy, older by one minute, is doing it, there’s a good chance that Landon is doing it, too, or about to do it, or has already done it.

They are the same height and weight — 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, though Conner said Jeremy might have a few centimeters on his brother. Their on-field speed is nearly identical. Their strength is very comparable.

“When they max out, it’s ironic how similar their scores are,” Conner said.

Their personalities are similar. Their interests, primarily sports, are similar. They hang out in the same social circles, have mostly the same friends.

When Landon played running back in youth football, his lead blocker was Jeremy, the team’s fullback.

“There’s no one worse to lose to than him,” Jeremy said of the intensely competitive nature they also share. “If he beats me, he is going to let me know about it.”

For now, it’s hard to imagine their lives separating. But football might intervene if they decide to play at different colleges.

They have always played the same positions for most of their lives and are capable of doing a little bit of everything. For Linganore, they are primarily wide receivers, outside linebackers and kick returners. They play just about every snap of every game for the Lancers.

According to Conner, Jeremy stands out a little more on the defensive side of the ball, while Landon is a little more adept on offense. It’s reflected in the statistics, which like most things with them, are very comparable on both sides of the ball.

Jeremy has more tackles (23), sacks (5), tackles for loss (9) and pass break-ups (2). Landon has more catches (21), receiving yards (417), rushing yards (63) and total touchdowns (7).

When asked about a college decision and potentially separating, Landon said, “Honestly, I really don’t think we mind. If we have different ideas about what we want to do, then we’ll go our separate ways. But, if we get an opportunity we like and we can go together, then we’ll go together.”

For now, the twins are just focused on helping Linganore beat Milford Mill on Friday in the state semifinals. They’d love to be a part of two more wins this season and celebrate a seventh state title for the Lancers, which would extend their record for Frederick County football teams.

“It would mean everything,” Jeremy said. “I mean, in the morning, I wake up, and it’s the first thing I think about, just playing football and being out here. The coaching staff sacrifices everything for us. I just want to go and bring that championship back.

“You know, this is the year. This is the team. Our team is absolutely stacked. So, we got to go out there and show it, be men.”

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos