Greyhound Luke Reynolds Aims for Big Things in Senior Campaign. By: Ryan Fletcher
The Newport Greyhounds played in the rugged 3A-3 Conference where they finished behind Osceola and Rivercrest a season ago. Senior Luke Reynolds led the way at quarterback and put together a great season. Reynolds went 83-143 with 1,544 passing yards and 22 touchdowns through the air. Additionally, he rushed for 698 yard and 19 touchdowns on the ground. For Reynolds, it is simply what he was made to do as he has known nothing different since playing the game as a young boy.“ I have played the quarterback position since I began peewee football in the fourth grade,” told Reynolds.“ At that age, the coaches look for the player that has knowledge of the game. My dad was a high school football coach, so I was taught football since I was old enough to hold a football. From that point, I practiced hard. The coaches moved me up when I was a seventh grader to be quarterback for the junior high team. I would play half of the seventh grade game and the whole junior high game each week.” Luke’ s spectacular season has entrenched him in the history books as one of Newport’ s all-time greats. He set a school record in total touchdowns with 41.“ The numbers just happen. I never followed the numbers because I was taught that things like breaking records will just happen if you give 100 percent. I have been a quarterback since I began playing football, so I am comfortable with the role, but I am constantly learning and trying to improve. The most difficult part is learning everyone else’ s role within the offense. That is as important to me as a leader so that the rest of the offense is comfortable in their role because I can direct on the field.”
Luke was quick to give his teammates much of the credit for the team’ s success along with his own individual success that he has had on the gridiron.“ I have great receivers that make me look good. These guys and I have been teammates since fourth grade. We have a level of trust on and off the field. When I pass it, I trust they are going to do everything they can to catch it. Last season, Demetric Denton was an amazing receiver, as well as Aamonii Wren( moved to Marion). This year, the starting receivers are going to play just as hard, Daryn Braxton, Nemo Crite, and Semaj Morgan. Offensive Lineman do not get the credit they deserve. Those guys are strong and smart. They give me the time I need to make decisions. Nothing I do is accomplished without those guys.”
Newport has a tough road ahead. The team that wins the 3A-3 Conference might not even be the team that makes the deepest run in the playoffs or wins a state title as it is likely the toughest conference in the entire state with teams like Osceola and Rivercrest.“ Those are two great teams with great players. Our conference is always tough so being ready, knowing our