Jackson Szabo, Alex Meek’s Kilbourne connection runs deep

Worthington — Watching them play together screams, “You’ve got a friend in me,” the timeless Toy Story song.

That sums up the relationship between Worthington Kilbourne starting quarterback Jackson Szabo and wide receiver Alex Meek. Paired together since sixth grade, their chemistry and communication are at an all-time level.

“The thing about Jackson is that he knows where I am going to be and where to put the ball,” Meek said. “That scramble drill makes us so good because when he runs out of the pocket, he knows that I am ready for him.”

Szabo and Meek have connected for four touchdowns through three games this season.

Szabo may spread the love around through the air, like any good quarterback does. However, that doesn’t change why Meek is his favourite target whenever he can get the ball to him.

“He has been my number one guy since sixth grade,” Szabo said. “His length, ability to catch contested passes, speed, and steady hands make him a great receiver.”

In the offseason, Meek and Szabo are working out at 5 a.m. sharp, three days a week. As Meek will tell you, Szabo is a gunslinger who can fit a ball into just about any window.

It takes other receivers a hot minute to adjust to Szabo’s throwing style. For Meek, his hands are fully acclimated to a quarterback who seems determined to break them more often than not.

“Jackson does throw the ball really hard sometimes,” Meek laughed. “It doesn’t really hurt my hands anymore because I am so used to it. I have caught so many balls from him over the years, catching it from someone else doesn’t have the same feeling.”

Knowing each other as well as they do, Meek and Szabo have different personalities that don’t always show on Friday nights. No matter what, though, Szabo is staunch in his belief that he is the more competitive one.

“Alex is the most chill guy you will ever meet,” Szabo said. “We have been friends for awhile, but I am definitely more competitive.”

However, Szabo says not to take Meek’s film for granted.

“He is fast. You see the deep throws and backside posts, but he is moving,” Szabo said. “If you are watching on film, you might say he has some speed. Trust me, he is fast.”

As for Szabo, Meek peeled back a layer on his quarterback that the children taking pictures with their childhood hero after games don’t get to see.

“All these kids see him as this big football starting quarterback,” Meek said. “Jackson is honestly a big goofball. He is always cracking jokes, giggling, and just makes things a lot of fun.”