Throughout their freshman year at Georgia Tech, Izaan Cross and Daniel Drummond always kept one eye on the Yellow Jackets and one eye on their former team, the Flowery Branch Falcons.

Busy with practice, games and school, it was hard for the pair to get away and watch the games live, but that didn’t deter their desire to know how the team was doing.

"Everytime I called home, I asked about Flowery Branch," said Daniel Drummond, who redshirted this season at Georgia Tech. "They would tell me about everything, and I am proud of what those guys did."

Drummond was proud, but not surprised.

"I figured it would be just like last year," he said. "Coach Shaw always has something for the playoffs."

Drummond’s teammate now and then can attest to that, as Cross headed up the street from Georgia Tech to watch Flowery Branch’s second-round win over Grady in the Class AAA playoffs.

"I had to go to support my old team and my brother," said Cross, who’s brother Imani was the Falcons’ leading rusher this year.

"I’m proud of my little brother," Cross said. "He’s way more mature than I was at his age."

The two Crosses will have plenty of time to catch up this holiday season, as the Georgia Tech players were given a little time off before getting back to work in preparation for the Orange Bowl on Jan. 6 against Iowa.

"I’m just going home to spend time with the family," Drummond said. "I haven’t been home too much."

Neither has Cross.

"We’re not that far away from home, but it seems like we are," Cross added. "It’ll be good to get away from football for a little while."

For a week, that time away will be spent on family, friends and celebrating the holiday, but once that week is complete, the two know that it’ll be back to work for Georgia Tech.

"It’s business as usual," Drummond said of the team’s focus. "We’re acting the same and preparing as if this were any other game."

Their roles in preparation are a bit different than they were in high school, as Cross is no longer a starter and Drummond doesn’t play at all.

"It’s what I got to do," Drummond said of being redshirted. "It’ll benefit me in the long run."

While Drummond will have to wait until next year to help his team win a bowl game, Cross is excited about his role on the Jackets’ defense.

"I’m glad to get playing time," said Cross, who has nine tackles (2.5 for a loss) in 12 games. "I wanted to contribute this year and I’m doing that."

He hopes to also contribute to an Orange Bowl win, but for right now, he’s just glad the team made it this far.

"Just being there will be exciting," Cross said. "I’m ready to spend a whole week in Miami."

A week in Miami and a week home with the family, what more could a pair of freshman football players ask for?