By ALEXANDER SIMONE

Staff writer

Peabody-Burns running back Noal Reynolds understands the difference between 8-man and 11-man football, he has experience with both.

“In 8-man there’s less field to cover, so you aren’t taking as much time trying to find the hole,” he said. “You know where you’re going.”

Playing football came naturally to Reynolds, who grew up with older brothers.

“They played football, so growing up I’d always be in the front yard throwing the football,” he said. “It’s a childhood thing.”

While he has two years of high school left, Reynolds already has hopes of playing at a higher level.

“If I get good scholarships I’d love to continue playing,” he said.

Hitting drills have been the most helpful part of his training, Reynolds said.

“It’s not just because I like to hit,” he said. “It gets the team excited and creates that special bond. We’re pushing each other to work harder together.”

It helps build chemistry that Peabody-Burns is a smaller school, Reynolds said.

“We’re not a very big school, so we’ve gone to school together every single day,” he said. “Before we all started playing sports we were best friends. That’s a big part in sports.”