Mullen coach Dave Logan calls Demari Reynolds “a super kid.”
Too bad it’s not in the literal sense, because flying to school would be a lot easier for Reynolds to make it to South Denver no fewer than six times per week in two of three sports seasons.
The senior defensive back, this week’s Brian Dawkins Award winner, resides in Montbello and must take two different buses to school. His days begin at 5 or 5:30 a.m. He returned home between 9 and 10 p.m. during football, and the schedule will be repeated during spring for track.
“It’s what I have to do,” the 17-year-old said.
Reynolds hasn’t blinked. His grades are close to a B average, and the 5-foot-11, 170-pounder was recently named all-Big 6 League in Class 5A, helping the Mustangs to a 9-3 mark and quarterfinals showing.
“The other coaches really liked him,” Logan said. “He’s the best player we had back there. He always had the toughest matchup.”
Said Reynolds: “I did pretty good, the best I could, but the end result was that we didn’t want to lose in that round . . . but making first team all-league? That was big for me.”
Reynolds, who doesn’t have his father living at home, is compelled to help his mother, two brothers and sister.
“I try to as much as I can,” he said, “but it’s hard in high school, and I’m trying to figure everything out. I just try to help out when I can, help with homework, whatever I can.”
Logan is hopeful a college spot will be open. Reynolds, who plans to study journalism or photography, said he has heard from Adams State, Fort Hays State and South Dakota State.
Reynolds will be at Sports Authority Field at Mile High today, when the Broncos host the Chicago Bears. Before each game, Dawkins, a Broncos safety, will choose a deserving prep player who demonstrates strong commitment to and accomplishment in the sport and in the classroom, character off the field and has overcome adversity.
The winner receives two tickets to a Broncos home game and pregame sideline passes courtesy of Dawkins, and must be accompanied by a parent or chaperone. Dawkins will meet with the player after the game to offer encouragement.
Nominees must be submitted to The Denver Post at ndevlin@denverpost.com. The final selection is made by Dawkins.
