‘He’s Something Else’: Briarwood Firing on All Cylinders With Spark Plug Reynolds Back - Over the Mountain Journal

October 16, 2024

By Rubin E. Grant

Briarwood football coach Matthew Forester calls senior running back Luke Reynolds the Lions’ spark plug.

In the first half of the season, the spark plug was missing and the Lions certainly weren’t firing on all cylinders.

Reynolds played fewer than two quarters in Briarwood’s first five games because of a dislocated shoulder and concussion, and the Lions went 0-5.

The shoulder injury occurred four minutes into the Lions’ season-opener.

“I was running with the ball and I tried to stiff arm the guy, and he grabbed my arm and yanked it in the perfect spot and it came out,” Reynolds said. “They popped it back in place, but it didn’t feel good.”

Reynolds missed the next two games, then in the opening quarter of the Lions’ fourth game, he sustained a concussion.

“I ran some kid over and led with my head,” Reynolds said. “I think he felt it more than I did.”

Since he finally returned to action, Reynolds has played as if he’s making up for lost time.

Three weeks ago, he rushed for 168 yards and three touchdowns on 18 carries as the Lions routed Leeds 31-14 for their first win.

The next week, Briarwood traveled to Corner and Reynolds was spectacular, running 11 times for 177 yards and scoring on runs of 52, 65 and 13 yards as Briarwood shocked the previously undefeated Yellow Jackets 31-6 in a Class 5A, Region 5 game.

Last Friday against John Carroll Catholic, Reynolds was held somewhat in check, rushing for only 84 yards on 25 carries. But he scored twice, including a 1-yard touchdown run with 1:46 remaining to lift the Lions (3-5, 2-3) to a 21-17 victory against the Cavaliers (2-6, 1-4) in another region game.

“He’s something else,” Forester said. “He’s a leader, a fierce competitor and he plays like his hair is on fire. He’s a spark plug that makes us go. I know that sounds like coachspeak, but he’s all those things.”

Reynolds credited his teammates for his impressive return.

“I think it’s been good, but I’ve had a lot of help since coming back,” he said. “The team has gained some confidence and it helped me with my performance. It’s all come together. The offensive line has been doing a good job of blocking.”

Coming into the season, Forester didn’t expect the 6-foot, 185-pound Reynolds to be the Lions’ primary ball carrier.

“He started as a sophomore at safety, a linebacker and nickel back,” Forester said. “Halfway through the season we moved him to running back. The other guys had done well, but when he finds a hole, he explodes through it.

“We were going to play him at safety this year and some at running back, but he dislocated his shoulder and … when he came back, we just had him at running back.”

If Reynolds had his choice, he would play strictly defense.

“I really play safety and a little linebacker, but with my shoulder hurt I can’t play defense,” he said. “I like defense ‘cause I prefer hitting people, but I love offense, too.”

Reynolds plans to play in college.

“I’ve got an offer from Jacksonville State and I’m looking at a few other places,” he said.

With the Lions riding a three-game winning streak, Reynolds hopes they can earn a state playoff berth. Briarwood is off this week then plays at Hayden on Oct. 25 in their final region game before closing the regular season at home against McAdory on Nov. 1.

“We started off slow, but now it’s going good,” Reynolds said. “Even when we were losing, we stayed focused and fought.

“We’re looking forward to getting back to the playoffs. Our mindset is to win and do our part.”

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