By Stephen Greene, Staff Writer
One common phrase can be heard when people are asked to describe Reynolds High School senior Josephus Mitchell: “Wow, he’s fast!”
“When I was about 8, I really started to realize my God-given speed and love for the game,” Mitchell said.
This speed has allowed him to have a successful track and football career at Reynolds. The versatile member of the varsity football team began playing the game in 2005 in the Pop Warner youth football league for the Winston-Salem Greyhounds. It was here that he realized his superior speed and love for football.
Mitchell is not your ordinary tailback. At just 5-foot-7 and 135 pounds, he is much smaller than the average high school football player. But after just one play, people realize why he can be such a dominating force on the field.
Mitchell runs a 4.3-second 40-yard-dash, which is a time most athletes could only dream of. This blazing speed is what sets Mitchell apart from his peers both on the field and the track.
“His speed is remarkable,” head coach Paul Hall said. “It’s always nice as a coach to have fast players.”
Mitchell spent the last two years on the varsity football team and hopes to take full advantage of his remarkable speed the rest of his senior year, especially during the spring track season.
“It’s great for football and especially track,” Mitchell said. “I’m a little guy, so I have to have something to compete with the big boys.”
Mitchell was one of the main leaders of this year’s varsity football squad. According to Hall, “Josephus (was) one of our driving forces this season; he has all the capable tools of being a team leader.” Mitchell’s hard work helped set the pace for the Demons.
“He’s enjoyable in the locker room, and he’s always bringing everyone’s spirit up,” senior teammate Jackson Bynum said. “Yet he still brings that intensity on the field that all coaches love.”
Quarterback Bailey Tyner added: “Josephus is a great leader to our team. He is very athletic and is outstanding at keeping the team together. He is also a great friend.”
Mitchell has big plans after graduation, wanting to attend UNC Charlotte to run track and major in business.
“The future looks very good,” Mitchell said.