West Boca Raton High School’s march to its first-ever state football championship last season will be remembered for decades. Palm Beach County — long hungry for another title after more than a decade without one — finally had a champion to call its own. And at the heart of that historic run was a young man who defied every expectation: Xavier Reid.
By the numbers, Reid is an undersized defensive tackle. By the film, he’s a nightmare. Game after game, his presence was so disruptive that offenses often dedicated two or even three blockers just to slow him down. Even then, slowing him was rarely possible. His explosive first step, relentless motor, and sheer willpower opened opportunities for his teammates — sacks for his fellow linemen, interceptions for the secondary, and panic for opposing quarterbacks.
In the last decade, Palm Beach County has seen great defensive players. But pound for pound, few — if any — have matched the dominance, consistency, and heart of Xavier Reid. And football is only part of his story. Reid is also a dominant wrestler, bringing the same explosiveness, leverage, and unshakable determination to the mat that he does on the gridiron. His wrestling background has sharpened his hand-fighting skills, balance, and core strength — tools that have helped him become nearly un-blockable in football.
But this season, fate delivered a cruel blow. A season-ending injury his senior year could have ended his high school football story right there. For many, it would have. Not for Reid.
During a 18-10 loss to nationally ranked No. 18 Chaminade-Madonna, West Boca felt his absence on the field. But on the sideline? His presence was undeniable. Clad in team issued gear instead of pads, Reid was a constant voice of encouragement, instruction, and belief. He coached. He motivated. He demanded the same effort from his teammates that he once gave every snap. His intensity didn’t fade with his injury — it shifted into leadership.
Then came the moment that best captured who Xavier Reid really is. Long after the game ended, with most players gone, Reid stayed behind. Not to bask in attention or give a postgame interview — but to clean. With broom in hand, he swept the mess his teammates left behind. For a young man with every reason to be bitter, it was a quiet act of humility and pride. In a school that hires people to clean, Reid still took ownership. Because that’s who he is — a player who leaves every place, and every program, better than he found it.
And that’s exactly what Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, is getting. They’re not just signing one of the most disruptive defensive players in Florida. They’re getting a champion’s work ethic, a wrestler’s grit, a leader’s voice, and a servant’s heart.
Yes, Xavier Reid has the ability to change a game with a single play. But it’s the way he carries himself when no one is watching that will change lives. His story is a reminder that greatness isn’t just measured in stats, trophies, or headlines — it’s measured in the way you face adversity, lift up others, and take pride in every detail.
Palm Beach County waited over a decade for a football champion. Reid helped deliver it. And in doing so, he built something far more lasting: a legacy of excellence, humility, and heart.
Photo Credits: Christian Proscia, NewEraPrep
