Football: Selfless Reynolds does it all for Maury

NORFOLK

A majority of the players have found their way to Maury High School’s football practice field.

They are laughing and playfully tossing a football when LaRoy Reynolds approaches.

In one hand he has his helmet and pads. In the other, he is dragging a large plastic container filled with water.

“It was in the hallway, and it was hot outside, so I just brought it out here,” Reynolds said with a smile. “This is usually a task for the rookies.”

It was another selfless act by the senior safety/wide receiver, who could have pulled rank on many of his teammates.

After all, he is the only Commodore on his way to play football at a Division I university. Next season, he will be a member of the Virginia Cavaliers.

“Roy is an example of success,” Maury coach John Quinerly said. “He is well-rounded, and he knows what it takes. There are a lot of guys on the team who want to be like Roy.”

But few can match his performances on the field, such as the one he authored in Maury’s 17-7 victory over Norcom.

Reynolds caught a touchdown pass that tied the score, then made a pivotal interception that gave the Commodores the lead. It was a typical game for a player who tries to do it all between the lines and in the classroom, where he maintains a 3.6 GPA.

“He’s very strong-willed and 'No’ is not in his vocabulary,” said his mother, Yolanda. “He lives and breathes football, but he will do anything to the best of his ability.”

And Reynolds has a lot of it. He has run the 40-yard dash in 4.6 seconds and can squat 520 pounds, according to an Internet recruiting service that lists him as a three-star player.

This season, Reynolds has 57 tackles, one forced fumble and one interception – making the task of juggling pass coverage and defensive support against the run look easy..

Instinct, he says, has helped him succeed at a hybrid position where he doubles as a linebacker and defensive back. So has the familiarity with the game, which he has played since he was 8.

“Knowing what everybody else does around you and knowing what is about to happen the next play and how to react has helped me,” said Reynolds, who is 6-foot-1 and weighs 205 pounds.

The fact that Reynolds is so self-sufficient makes him an ideal choice to perform other functions, and for that reason Quinerly says Reynolds’ role extends beyond the field. In many ways, he serves as an extra coach – guiding his teammates when they are in the huddle and offering them pointers at practice.

“He is one of those kids who is an example for everyone,” Quinerly said. “He has helped me develop other leaders. He is one of the best I have been around. I wish I could coach him another three years.”

But come next year, Reynolds will be in Charlottesville. And as a freshman, he likely will have to carry the water. Reynolds will do it with a smile.

After all, he said, “I don’t have too many complaints.”

Rainer Sabin, 757-446-2367, rainer.sabin@pilotonline.com