Gavin Bourgeois and Reuben

Houston, two former high school football standouts from Peachtree City,

now have one thing in common: Georgia Tech football.

Reuben Houston began his career

at Starr's Mill high school under coach Mike Earwood. During his

tenure as one of the school's top athletes, Houston picked up numerous

awards including the Georgia AAAAA Offensive Player of the Year, and was

also named to both the Super Southern 100 and Top 50 in Georgia, and to

the All-Southeast Region team by Prep Star. He was also a member of the

Starr's Mill track team and was a two-time state champion in the

triple jump.

Houston gives credit to his

father and mother, Luther and Pat Houston. "I wouldn't be here

if it weren't for them," he said. "They brought me up right."

When juxtaposing high school

and college, Houston noted many drastic differences. "In college,

you have a choice to go to class, there are some days you just don't

feel like going, but for me, football keeps me going to class."

Houston further discussed the

amount of dedication and focus Georgia Tech football demands. "For

me, it is all worth it, it's all mental," he said. "My

ultimate focus is football, that's it."

Although Houston divided his

time between football and track for the 2002-2003 season, he has decided

to concentrate solely on football for the remainder of his collegiate

career.

"I'm completely dedicated

to football now; I will not be jumping for Georgia Tech anymore,"

he said. "My future plans are to play football professionally so

that's where my focus is."

While Houston plans to utilize

Tech football as a stepping stone to the NFL, Gavin Bourgeois chose to

walk on the team his sophomore year and continue playing simply for the

love of the game. However, collegiate sports are not all fun and games.

Bourgeois graduates this year and reminisced about his overall experience

with the football program.

"It's been a tough

couple of years - there was a huge trade-off," he said. "There

were times when I'd call home and tell my mom and dad, 'I don't

know if I can do this.' But I have to thank them; they inspired me

to continue. If I had to do it all over again I would."

Bourgeois, a former Sandy Creek

player, finds that being part of this team has rewarded him with more

than he could ever imagine.

"I've made great

friends and great memories," he said. "It is also nice to be

looked up to by my fellow classmates. I feel like a mentor."

In the end, both players find

that the decision to continue playing football at the collegiate level

is an experience that will stay with them forever.

(Tani Gaan is a graduate of

McIntosh High and Oglethorpe University. She competed in athletics at

both schools.)

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