The two-for-one deal comes in the form of North Davidson twins Devan and Daine Hedrick. Devan is a running back while Daine is a defensive back.

That brings the number to eight recruits in what is already regarded as one of David Bennett’s best classes since taking over in 1995.

It brings to a close a lifelong dream for the brothers to play together in college.

“We’ve never been apart,” said Devan Monday afternoon. “We don’t have to buy all new stuff now. We can share.”

They can also share their college playing days with their mother, who is close enough to visit Salisbury each and every Saturday afternoon that Catawba is home.

North Davidson coach Bill Butts, a former Catawba star in football and baseball back in the late 70’s and early 80’s, explained, “Their dad passed away after the first football game last year and these guys have had a hard time. They deserve this.”

The twins only played two seasons for North. They played their first two years at Central Davidson.

Devan, a 5-8, 170-pounder, made his mark as the Tri County 3A’s top tailback. In two seasons, he had almost 2,800 yards on the ground. As a junior, he broke Smyle Wagner’s school single-season mark and this past year, he broke his own mark with 1,522. He was all-county, all-conference and the offensive player of the year.

“Devan carried 20-30 times for us,” Butts said. “I don’t know what their plans are for him but I think he can be a real good special teams player. In time, I think he can help them at running back.

“I talked to Coach Butts over the summer and he said he’d do everything he could to help me get into college,” Hedrick said. “He kept on me to work hard.

“Catawba hasn’t been specific but I’d like to play tailback,” added the speedster, “Wherever is fine with me. I just want a chance to play.”

Furman, Wofford, Western Carolina and Lenoir-Rhyne all showed interest in the brothers but the coaching staff, Bennett’s winning tradition and last year’s 11-2 record and national playoff appearance won them over.

“They’re a contender for the national championship,” Hedrick said with a big grin. “That’s another big thing for us. That sold us too.

“We felt it was one-on-one with the coaches. Coach Bennett’s great. He’s straight up. He’ll tell you what he thinks and I like that.”

The brothers attended three Catawba games and Devan said, “I was impressed with everything I saw.”

Opponents didn’t throw Daine’s way much this year, according to Butts.

“He had a great year defensively but he wasn’t attacked much. People didn’t throw his way and that’s a tribute to how good he really is.”

Daine, like his brother, was all-Tri-County and All-Davidson County. He stands 5-11, 170.

Both run about a 4.6 40.

“Devan’s probably a little faster,” said Butts. “That’ll make Daine mad.”

The twins also have a Catawba backer in Butts.

“It’s a little different over there than it was in 1981,” said Butts, who led North Davidson to a 11-1 season in 1999. “They’re like Carson-Newman now. They have a chance to win the national championship every year.”

The twins are actually going to a school that’s smaller than their high school. Catawba has around 800 students while North is well over 1,000.

“The classes will be smaller and they’ll be a close-knit bunch,” Butts said. “It’ll be a good fit for them. It was for me.”

Butts also praised the coaching staff.

“(Bennett’s) record (41-14) speaks for itself,” he said. “And they have a tremendous staff. “Italked to them numerous times last summer trying to get our stuff together over here. They really helped me.

“They’re players’ coaches. The players love to play for them. And that’s why Catawba is doing so well.”

Butts also likes the fact that Catawba recruits heavily in Davidson County. West Davidson, Butts alma mater, has two players in Derrick Stokes and Jeff Hartley while Thomasville has given Bennett two starters in receiver Nick Means and linebacker Todd McComb.

Now North Davidson has four on the roster. The Hedricks join T.J. Lawson and Brad McCrary, two redshirt freshmen receivers.

“They’ll help us with anything we need,” said Devan of his former Black Knight teammates. “They said, ‘Don’t be scared to ask us.’“

“You’ve always had a lot of interest around Davidson County in Catawba,” Butts said.

And the best thing about being from Davidson County for the Hedricks?

It all goes back to mom.

“She has always been there for us and we have grown really close,” Daine told The Dispatch. “She told us to go exactly where we wanted to go but it will be nice that she won’t be far away,”