DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
NOAH REYES
SCHOOL Booneville
CLASS Senior
HEIGHT 6-1
WEIGHT 261
THE SCOOP A three-year starter and a two-time all-state selection on the defensive line. ... Recorded 66 total tackles and a team-high 25 tackles-for-loss along with 5.0 sacks despite not playing the second half of a number of games when the score got out of hand. ... Moved to tight end on offense and provided seal blocking on the outside to key Booneville's powerful run game. In the state championship, the Bearcats piled up 391 yards -- all on the ground -- with a lot of that yardage to Reyes' side. ... Four times this season he had at least 3.0 tackles-for-loss in a game. ... Had 3.0 sacks against Class 4A Ozark. ... Had 4 caused fumbles and 1 fumble recovery. ... Drawing college interest from a number of in-state programs.
DID YOU KNOW? Reyes has been a force on the defensive line since his sophomore season, but back when he started playing football in pee-wee league, he was a running back.
QUOTABLE "I knew we could do it (go undefeated). I knew if we all worked hard during the summer that we could do it. I consider everybody on the team my family; they are all my brothers. We just all believe in each other and have faith in each other."
-- Chip Souza • @NWAChip
Sports on 12/30/2018