Band of football brothers heading to West Point

Click on the photo to see more pictures of the players bound for West Point.

They have reminisced about their high school careers.

They huddled and made plans for the Fourth of July.

But most all, Scotty Williams, Kyle Dravis and Zach Burge are joined by their future — and not just because they will play in Friday's 50th Brea Lions Orange County North-South Prep All-Star Football Game.

All three players are headed to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point to continue their football careers.

"We've been hanging out," said Williams, a wide receiver from Orange Lutheran. "(We've) gotten a lot closer with the (all-star) game."

Williams and Dravis were best friends while they starred at Orange Lutheran. But while practicing with the North all-stars the past week and half, they forged a kinship with Burge, an offensive lineman from Trinity League rival Servite.

Their conversations have included recruiting stories about West Point, which became a popular destination this year for county football recruits.

Williams (5-10, 175) was the first of the trio to commit. He made his decision last summer after attending Army's football camp.

"I've always wanted to serve in the military," said Williams, the second-team All-County pick. "It was a beautiful campus. Great education. … I get to play football and serve the country. It seemed perfect."

Dravis and Burge picked West Point well after their high school seasons.

Burge (6-4, 255), a son of a former Marine, also has longed to serve in the military.

"I would always salute (as a child)," the first-team All-County selection said.

Dravis, a 5-foot-9, 185-pound running back/defensive back, said he was lightly recruited. When Army initially expressed interest in him, he was skeptical because of the required service commitment after his football career.

But Dravis took a trip to West Point and discovered the academy was for him.

"I shadowed a couple different guys and spent really a day in the life of a cadet," he said. "It changed my whole perception (about Army). From dreading it to this is where I want to be."

Dravis and Williams said West Point reminded them of Orange Lutheran and Coach Jim Kunau.

"It's such a family there," Dravis said.

Former Orange Lutheran standout cornerback Davonte Anderson also has committed to new Army coach Rich Ellerson, the former Cal Poly SLO coach.

Williams, Dravis, and Burge, all of whom are just 18, say they first will attend Army's prep school.

"They know where the players are at," Williams said of Army. "They want athletes who can play whatever position out there."

The players also have shared their dreams outside football.

Dravis is interested in pursuing mechanics, perhaps working on helicopters or tanks. Williams wants to join the infantry.

"I want to be toured-up," he said. "I want to go into Green Beret. … It's like a dream come true for me. Ever since I saw 'Saving Private Ryan.'<thin_space>"

Burge also is interested in becoming a Green Beret but is being pulled by pre-law.

Burge has pondered combat.

"At first, it made me nervous," said Burge, who has a cousin and a friend in the military. "But I feel so proud to be part of it. … If I have to go serve, I will. I'd choose to serve if I could, just to see if I could help another person."

Williams' father, Ken, said he finds the players' aspirations inspiring.

"It just touches my heart just to see that they want to do that — to defend us, our values and what we love so much in this country," he said.

"The love for their country that these kids have here is unique."

Contact the writer: dalbano@ocregister.com