Army West Point’s Casey Reynolds has been the Black Knights' leading receiver all season.
“I think as a whole the offense is playing really well,” said Reynolds, who has 12 catches for 325 yards and three touchdowns. “We’re definitely clicking. Coach (Jeff) Monken, Coach (Cody) Worley are calling great plays, and everything's working out so far.”
Whether it’s blocking or catching, Reynolds has been a crucial cog in the offensive machine that’s been averaging 35 points game during an historic 9-0 season so far. Not bad for someone who grew up playing lacrosse – and still does.
“From May to January, I don't pick up a stick,” Reynolds said. “But then once January comes around, and then it's lacrosse. I pick up that stick again and then I’m playing.”
When Reynolds isn’t lining up as a receiver for the football team, he’s suiting up as a defensive midfielder for the Army lacrosse team in the spring.
“In lacrosse, playing defense, all I really do is backpedal. And in football, all I really do is sprint straight forward. So there's definitely a little different movement to get my body used to when I transition between sports.”
Reynolds was born to play lacrosse growing up on Long Island. Both of his parents played collegiate lacrosse as well. But he was recruited to Army originally to play football by Monken, only later to have lacrosse head coach Joe Alberici inquire about joining his team as well.
“I said that I would be super happy to do it,” Reynolds said. “I asked coach (John) Loose if that was a possibility, and he said if I could get my grades up and I was doing well in football, he'd let me do it.”
On top of playing two Division 1 sports, Reynolds has also been meeting the rigorous academic standards of the United States Military Academy. It’s certainly not easy as the senior prepares to be commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army.
“I’m super happy it worked out,” Reynolds said. “All the coaches on both sides, they do a great job of helping me and allowing me to be flexible with my schedule, as well as me being flexible with theirs to allow me to do both.”
Reynolds and the Army football team will look to stay undefeated this Saturday when they take on Notre Dame at Yankee stadium.