QUINCY, Fla. (WTXL) — The Munroe Bobcats are out to their best start in school history, 5-0, thanks in part to a senior class that's stuck with the program.
Xavier Gray is one of those seniors and this week's ABC 27 Scholar-Athlete of the Week.
Sometimes you have to remember the tough times.
"Last year we were 1-9, the year before we were 4-6, the year before we were 1-9 again," said Gray.
It can help to remember just how far you've come.
"I'm so blessed it came my senior year, the last time I get to play high school football," Gray said.
The Munroe Bobcats are 5-0 on the year, off to their best start in school history. Guys like Xavier Gray are a big reason why they're enjoying that success.
"He's missed one workout one time to go to a college prospect camp," said Alex Lehky, the head football coach at Munroe. "That's it. He is here every single day giving it absolutely everything he's got. Never complains, just shows up and grinds. He's a great kid."
"The goals that we're setting now and the expectations is definitely, will be a great thing to be able to look back 20 years from now and be able to say, 'yes, I was there when the program became successful when it became a program everyone wanted to watch and look at,'" Gray said.
Hard work that's equaled results, and, for Gray, the same can be said when he comes to the books. He has a 3.9 GPA and will graduate high school with his AA degree.
"You can't go up to anyone one of them and say I don't do my work," said Gray. "That's the message I try to get across is that your work is very important. Without it, playing at the next level isn't an option."
"Those kids are the kids that don't tap out," Lehky said. "Those guys are the guys that you can give them two coaching points and they use that and adjust. There's a huge correlation."
A correlation that's paying off.
"I don't get a chance to live this year over again," said Gray. "I'm definitely taking advantage of every single moment I get on the field. I try to cherish every moment."
Every moment and every win of a season, that'll go down in history.
Gray said the goal is to play at the next level. He wants to major in athletic training and one day have one of the top facilities in the country.
