Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Born a Bearcat
Senior Reyes powers tenacious Booneville defense.
BOONEVILLE — Noah Reyes has been so good for the Booneville Bearcats this season, he needs two jerseys. The 6-foot-1, 261-pound senior has occupied a starting spot on the
Bearcats’ defensive line for three seasons. Reyes normally wears
No. 55, but this season he has also logged time as a tight end on offense, necessitating a number change to 28, but he still keeps his 55 close by.
“We’ve tried to play him just on defense, but he’s been a twoway player for us this year,” Booneville coach Scott Hyatt said Tuesday as the Bearcats were preparing to take on Prescott on Friday in the Class 3A state semifinals. “We’ve had to change his number, but we keep his 55 jersey in case one of the other linemen get hurt.” Regardless of what number Reyes wears on his jersey, there is no denying the numbers on the stat sheet change constantly, and they have all been impressive. Through 13 games, the statistics are staggering with 60 total tackles, 25.0 tackles for loss, 5.0 sacks, 4 caused fumble and 1 fumble recovery. That is especially true when considering that Reyes has been a spectator for the fourth quarter in a lot of games this season as the Bearcats have mercy-ruled 10 teams this season.
“I just try to help my team as much as I can,” Reyes said. “I prefer to play defensive tackle. I like the physical part of it. I like manhandling the guy across from me.”
Hyatt said he knew Reyes would be a special player as a ninth grader. The numbers support the longtime Bearcat coach’s projections.
As a sophomore, Reyes recorded 43 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks in what was a down year for Booneville as the Bearcats played a lot of sophomores in a 6-5 season.
Last season Booneville was 10-2 in Class 4A with bookend losses to Pea Ridge, and Reyes was a big reason why. He earned all-state honors with 76 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks. He also intercepted a pass and was close to taking it to the end zone but was tackled at the 4.
“They caught me,” Reyes laughed. “I thought I was going to get in there, but they caught me from behind.”
Hyatt said Reyes is one of the best defensive line prospects he’s seen in a long coaching tenure as both an assistant and as the head coach.
“We’ve had some good ones,” Hyatt said. “But as far as D-linemen, he’s one of the better ones I’ve seen.”
Reyes said he grew up wanting to be a Bearcat, starting out in the second grade as a running back. In the small community, football is what everything revolves around, and Reyes said he felt privileged to pull on that purple jersey on Friday nights.
“Everybody in the town knows who you are,” he said. “You can go to eat, and someone will pay for your food if you play football. You get a lot of privileges.”
Reyes has received multiple offers to play at the next level, including Ouachita
Baptist, Harding and Arkansas Tech. Hyatt said Arkansas State also has requested video of Reyes as the early signing day in December approaches. Reyes said he plans to wait to see what program would be the best fit for him before he decides.
“Right now I’m just focused on trying to help us get to the state championship,” Reyes said. “That other stuff, I’ll think about it after that.”
Prescott (12-1) is the next in line for the Bearcats, who are seeking their first state title since 2013. The Curly Wolves blanked McGehee last week 26-0, while Booneville ran over Harmony Grove 4322.
“They are the real deal,” Hyatt said of Prescott. “They’ve got a quarterback who’s a big guy, about 6-6, and throws the ball well and can run. They have a sophomore running back who goes about 230. I think we’re just going to try to weld the door to their locker room shut so they can’t come out Friday night.”
The winner of Friday night’s game will take on the winner of the Osceola vs. Rison game next Saturday at noon in the Class 3A state championship game at War Memorial Stadium.