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2025 REYNOLDS RAIDERS PREVIEW

TRANSFER – A 10-man senior class will lead the Reynolds High School football team in 2025 as the Raiders look to contend for District 10 supremacy in Class 1A. In 2024, the youthful Raiders advanced to the District 10 semifinals and finished with a 6-6 record despite having zero seniors on the roster.

Now, with almost everyone back from last season, the Raiders have plenty of experience and optimism for the upcoming season, the 13th at the helm for head coach Josh Mull.

Six All-Region 1 selections return on offense, including the team's leading rusher and receiver in 2024. First Team All-Region selection Parker Nay returns at slotback after catching 29 passes for 396 yards and six touchdowns last season. He added 290 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns and four total return touchdowns as a junior.

Senior running back Gabe Minjarez rambled for 1,353 yards and 15 touchdowns in his second year as a starter. A Second Team All-Region pick last year, he is expected to again have a featured role in the Raiders' backfield.

Senior quarterback Xavier Zachrich also returns after missing the Raiders' postseason run due to an injury. He averaged a team-leading 7.2 yards per carry while amassing 619 rushing yards and seven scores. Zachrich also threw for 558 yards and six touchdowns on his way to Second Team All-Region recognition.

During his first two seasons, Zachrich played running back and wide receiver for Reynolds. He could again see time in those roles, as junior quarterback Connor Belback could have a greater role in the offense this fall. Belback started both playoff games last season and finished with 180 passing yards on 17-of-35 accuracy.

"Belback, in the two playoff games, showed us some things that he has the potential to really be a starting quarterback," Mull said.

Senior tight end Rocky Floch caught 11 passes last year in his first season at the position. He is a returning All-Region Second Team selection. Senior Jacob Rust has the inside track at wide receiver. Senior Giovanni Guerino returns in the slot after catching 13 passes in 2024.

According to Mull, first-year offensive coordinator Jordan Fortuna may also incorporate some "pro set" wrinkles into the Raiders' offensive attack this year.

Seniors Maddox Snyder and Casey Resek return to lead a veteran offensive line. Snyder earned First Team All-Region last year while Resek captured Second Team honors. Those two are expected to handle the tackle spots, with junior Jack Nugent and sophomore Aiden Resek at guard.

Junior Kristian Mull has moved from guard to center, replacing Snyder. Sophomore Justin Langdon is pushing for time at center and guard.

"We have a lot of the same names on the offensive line, but we're moving them around to see if we can find the right fit," Josh Mull said. "It seems like it's working."

Reynolds will again employ a 4-3 defense. Second Team All-Region pick Floch returns at defensive end and will be bookended by Nugent. The Resek brothers and stout sophomore Trenton Wilson look to hold down the nose tackle and defensive tackle positions.

"We look big up front," Mull said. "We have some experience."

Snyder started at end last year but moves to middle linebacker. All-Region honoree Jacob Blackburn, a senior, returns on the strong side while Minjarez returns at weakside linebacker.

Nay led Reynolds with six interceptions last year and returns at cornerback. Guerino and sophomore Angelo Minjarez are jockeying for the other starting corner spot. "Both of them are in a good position and I feel comfortable putting both of them out there," Mull said.

First Team All-Region honoree Zachrich returns at strong safety while Rust returns as free safety.

"We seem to have really picked up an aggression on defense," Mull said. "We've had some really good defensive practices."

Senior Gerardo Hernandez returns at kicker. Snyder and Zachrich both have experience punting.

After fielding rosters of 25 or fewer players in recent seasons, the Raiders have 32 players on their camp roster. "Those numbers have really been nice," Mull said. "We're able to make the most of our time. These are things that Wilmington has been doing for years because they've had those types of numbers. Greenville has had those kinds of numbers."

In addition to staying healthy, Mull cited team cohesion as a key for his squad in 2025. "Team camaraderie is going to be huge. If we can learn how to work together and work for each other, and not against each other, I think that's going to be a key to our success."