LEESBURG, Fla. — At Leesburg High School, the spirit of brotherhood is as strong as the roar of the crowd. At the heart of the Yellow Jackets’ football team are two young men, senior quarterback Xavier Irizarry and his backup, sophomore Jake Kinsey, who share more than a position on the depth chart—they share a bond forged through faith and leadership.

In a poignant moment before their recent game, captured in a now-viral photo, Irizarry and Kinsey knelt together on the sideline. Only these two young men know what was said but this happens often with the two. Irizarry often offers words of encouragement, a gesture emblematic of the tight-knit culture that head coach Frank Scott has instilled in his team.

“Coach Scott tells us every day that we have to be as close as brothers,” Irizarry said after the game. “It’s not just about football, it’s about life. We lift each other up, no matter what. That’s what family does.”

For senior Irizarry, a standout both on and off the field, leadership extends beyond his talent as the Yellow Jackets’ starting quarterback. He leads with humility, always mindful of setting an example for his teammates.

Kinsey, who has stepped into his role as the backup quarterback with determination, looks up to Irizarry not only for his on-field guidance but for his off-field support. These two resemble everything teammates should. When Jake takes the field, he’s a dynamic player who listens to everthing Xavier tells him. One thing about Xavier is that he doesn’t like to come off the field. But when he does, he is constantly coaching his teammates and that is something I admire about him.

That sense of camaraderie and mutual respect is exactly what Coach Scott has worked tirelessly to foster. “We’re building more than just football players here,” Scott said. “We’re building men. These guys are going to face a lot of challenges in life, and I want them to know they’ll always have each other.”

As the season unfolds, the brotherhood at Leesburg High is becoming just as much a part of the Yellow Jackets’ identity as their on-field performance. For Irizarry, he’s one of the top quarterbacks in Lake County. With 14 touchdowns and over 1,000 yards passing in just 5 games played, Irizarry is hoping to find himself on a college football roster next year. “I’ve been doing this for a minute now. In 3 years calling plays and caoching the QBs, I’ve helped put all 3 QBs into college on scholarship,” says Max Tucker who is the quarterbacks coach.

Brotherhood will carry these players through whatever challenges lie ahead. After the game, the team usually says a prayer together on the field further symbolizing just how close they all are as a team. It’s a culture that Leesburg High is proud about. They intend to continue that culture going forward.