Fairview – A.I. (artificial intelligence) is the emerging technological trend. A.C. Reynolds has long showcased its own “A.I.” — athletic invincibility.
The Rockets blasted another athletic and perennial powerhouse, Shelby, by 51-21 on the road in week two. “We played well on both sides of the ball,” ACR head coach Shane Laws said. “Our offense moved the ball on the ground, and in the air. When we’re clicking, we’re tough to defend.”
Ignore the 1-3 mark in brutal pre-conference battles. These are like exhibitions. “We’re playing four of the best teams in the state, to get ready for conference and playoffs,” Laws said. “We’re grinding,” but improving. ACR returns seven starters on offense, and five on defense.
‘Rockets’ Red-zone Glare’
Reynolds went 12-2 in 2022 and won three playoff games, and won two playoffs in 2023. The Rockets are extra dominant in the Mountain Athletic Conference, riding a 15-game unbeaten streak. Their last MAC defeat was three years ago, by 6-5 to ’21 MAC champ Asheville. Last year, the Rockets decisively beat MAC rivals AHS 28-14, T.C. Roberson 28-7, and Erwin 45-3.
Reynolds plays at Asheville on Sept. 29, Erwin at home on Oct. 6, then after a bye week at T.C. Roberson on Oct. 20.
One might adapt our national anthem to ACR’s offense: “And the Rockets’ red-zone glare. Long runs and bombs bursting in air. Gave proof through each Friday night that the MAC title flag was still there…”
Special Guest
Max Guest (5-10, 180 sr.) is a seasoned and advanced “A.I. Rocket.” Guest is back to his high-4.3 speed, after missing most of 2023 with a leg injury. “Max is also ultra-powerful,” Law noted. “He squats over 500 pounds. He runs with speed, power, and catches the ball. Indeed, Guest ran for a touchdown and caught a TD pass in week three of 2024.
Guest is averaging 5.2 yards per carry. He ran for 1,746 yards (6.6 YPC) as a sophomore, averaging 125 yards. He rushed for 25 TDs. He had 22 catches and four scores. This season, he averages 115.5 all-purpose yards per game. He has 219 yards rushing, 122 receiving, and 121 in kickoff returns. Guest had 2,122 all-purpose yards (APY) in 2022, and 1,288 APY as a freshman.
Other ACR runners include quick, elusive RB-WR Tyvon Patterson (5-8, 160 jr.), Jayden Smith (5-6, 165 jr.), and Zavian Nesbitt (5-6, 165 jr.).
‘Ely’s Coming!’
Fans are excited about new Rocket quarterback Ely Hamrick (6-5, 225 jr.). The North Carolina native trained in a Florida academy. Hamrick threw for 682 yards and for five TDs versus one pick in his first four ACR contests. He ran for 142 yards (4.4 YPC), averaging 206 total yards.
“Ely is the prototypical D1 quarterback,” Coach Laws said. “He’s big, and mobile. He can make all of the throws. He’s learning our receivers and protection. He’s steadily getting better in decision-making.”
Cavalli Montgomery (5-8, 150 sr.) leads ACR with 238 receiving yards (29.6 YPC), including a 77-yarder, and with two TD receptions in four games. Tremaine Keeter (6-0, 165 jr.), a transfer from AHS, also has high-4.3 speed and 10.7 seconds in the 100-yard dash. Keeter and Patterson lead ACR in receptions. Other receivers include Wes White (5-10, 160 sr.) at 29.5 YPC, and TE Ben Parchuk (5-10, 200 jr.) with 15.3 YPC and a score.
The large Rocket offensive line returns mobile LT Rodrigo Coronado (6-2, 230 sr.), RT Rawleigh Hall (6-1, 240 sr.), and center Aiden Truesdale (5-9, 210 jr.). New guards are huge Zak Elassy (6-0, 315 so.) and Connor Crane (6-2, 280 sr.).
Defensive Playmakers
The defense scored in the opener, after Lincoln Rogers (5-5, 165 sr.) blocked a West Forsyth punt. The 3-3 “stack” defense’s leading tacklers include OLB Rogers, middle linebacker Daniel Angulo (6-0, 220 sr.), and edge rusher Stayceon Taylor (5-8, 210 sr.). Other LBs are Ayden Metcalf (5-11, 180 sr.) and Brandon Ledbetter (6-1, 200 jr.).
The D-line has Ernesto Reyes (6-0, 205 jr.) and Edwin Santiago (5-10, 190 sr.), and NG Javairas Bryant (6-0, 250 jr.). The secondary includes CB Decarlos Lynch (6-2,180 sr.), Raymont Allen (5-7, 160 so.), and Zach Dickey (5-9, 150 sr.).
On defense, “we’re athletic and young (two seniors), with potential,” Coach Laws said. He plays down frontrunner status, saying “you can’t say who wins” the MAC title. But many people foresee the green gladiators repeating as league champs, and as a 3A state title contender.