In the past few years the Athens Drive Magnet High School football program got used to two faces: former wide receiver Xzavier Mcneil and former middle linebacker Khalil Khatib. The two former varsity football players graduated from Athens Drive in June of 2016, and are now playing on the collegiate level for Methodist University.

Leaving Athens, the players are taking a few skills with them along the way.

“Athens really shaped me into somebody who is prepared to overcome adversity and rise to the challenge, and college can be challenging,” said Khatib.

Going from high school to college, your responsibilities and lifestyle make a split change. The players have to worry about school, football and a social life.

“The transition has been a different one it used to be you could practice and just go home. In college, you have meetings and study hall to go along with homework and responsibilities,” said Khatib.

While attending Athens Drive, the football players spent a lot of time together. At school for seven hours, practice for three hours, and games on friday nights always kept the players close.

“College is much more family oriented because these people and teammates are actually living with you and you spend most of your time with them,” said Mcneil.

On the Collegiate level, most football games are played on weekends and during the day.

“Nothing compares to Friday Night Lights, saturdays come in close, but there is just something different,” said Khatib.

Playing on a team playeres make a bond with some that will last a lifetime. Players gain friendships and brotherhoods with one another. How a team performs can be affected, be it positively or negatively, by the players relationships with one another.

“From Athens we were already close so that made us play better on the field. At Methodist it is kind of the same but we are not as close yet,” said Mcneil.

Looking back on their experiences at Athens, McNeil and Khatib have a few words of encouragement.

“Keep going hard and keep pushing each other to be the best you can be. Play for each other and practice every day like it is your last! Y’all are the best team in the state! Just got to prove it! #Rowtheboat,” said Mcneil.