Prep Football: Dustin Reynolds leads Victor Valley all-star squad to victory, earns MVP award

Apple Valley linebacker Dustin Reynolds is a menace when he's on a football field.

That was on full display Saturday afternoon as he helped the Victor Valley all-star squad to a 28-14 victory over the Antelope Valley.

Reynolds, who was recently named the Mojave River League and the Daily Press’ Defensive Player of the Year, racked up several tackles, six sacks and even returned an interception for a touchdown.

Reynolds earned the ALADS Antelope Valley vs. Victor Valley All-Star Football Classic MVP award, along with a $250 scholarship check after the game.

“My boy (Quamaine) Thomas made a play there, and I turned that into an even bigger play and took it back,” said Reynolds. “I was just there in the right place at the right time.”

Thomas broke through the offensive line and pressured the quarterback into throwing the ball away and into Reynolds’ hands.

Reynolds and Thomas played high school ball for rival programs. Thomas was a key part for the Oak Hills defense, which captured consecutive Mojave River League titles.

“It was so much fun coming out with all these guys, and to be able to experience this with all these players from the different schools in the High Desert,” Reynolds said. “We had a good crowd that came out and supported us and fired us up.”

The Victor Valley squad looked amped up early on, especially Reynolds and Silverado linebacker Andrew Olmos, who both made big defensive stops on the game’s opening drive.

Granite Hills quarterback Byron Rivas put the Victor Valley squad on the board midway through the first quarter. Rivas hit Sultana wide receiver CJ Cabriales for a 30-yard touchdown.

“It felt great being out there competing and playing with the best of the best,” Rivas said. “Being able to suit up one last time in my high school career before I’m off to college was a blessing for me and my family.”

Reynolds ran back his interception shortly after the touchdown pass to give the Victor Valley squad a 14-0 lead.

The Antelope Valley ended the first half with a 44-yard touchdown pass but failed on the two-point conversion.

The Victor Valley scored twice in the third quarter with Serrano quarterback Payton Cornell under center.

Following a quick three-and-out, the Victor Valley squad drove up the field with run plays. Cornell scrambled around and tossed the ball into the end zone for Apple Valley’s Brandon Armijo. The 16-yard touchdown put the Victor Valley squad up 22-6, following a two-point conversion run from Granite Hills’ Malik Kinney.

But the Victor Valley team wasn’t done there.

Silverado running back Fredrick Hunter got in on the scoring the following drive with a 19-yard touchdown run for a 28-6 lead.

“It felt good to finally get a good run and show the people why I’m uncommon amongst the uncommon,” Hunter said.

The Antelope Valley squad cut the lead in half a minute later with a long touchdown pass.

But Victor Valley’s defense buckled down again in the fourth quarter and the game ended with Dereith Browning, of Victor Valley, recording a sack on the final play of the day.

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Prep Football: Reynolds leads Victor Valley all-star squad to victory, named MVP