Ben Reynolds, son of Dr. John and Jean Reynolds of Bainbridge and a walk-on freshman center with the University of Georgia Bulldogs football team, has been named the Bulldogs offensive scout team player of the year.

During his senior year as a Bainbridge High School Bearcat, Reynolds, who is attending Georgia on academic scholarship, excelled in football and wrestling.

The offensive guard and heavyweight wrestler was featured in a player’s spotlight and had his picture on the cover of “In the Game,” a south Georgia high school sports magazine.

He also started at right guard and helped the Southwest Georgia Senior All-Stars defeat the Florida Big Bend Senior All-Stars 35-3 in the first “In the Game” sponsored Georgia-Florida Senior Bowl football game at Thomas County Central High School’s Jackets’ Nest Stadium.

After the season, the Bearcats first team All-Region 1AAAA offensive guard was named Hall of Fame Scholar Athlete for the Southwest Georgia Region.

BHS principal Tommie Howell, who nominated him, described Reynolds as a good football player and an even better person.

“Ben, who was Key Club treasurer, a Fellowship of Christian Athletes officer and an Eagle Scout, has his priorities in line,” Howell said. “He knows what he wants to achieve in life, and he is on track to do it.”

Bearcats head football coach Ed Pilcher called Reynolds a true scholar athlete who works equally hard in the classroom and the athletic arena.

“Ben, the STAR Student and valedictorian of the BHS class of 2009, is an outstanding football player and wrestler,” Pilcher said. “He works as hard in the weight room as anybody. He enjoys sports and he is very good at them, but his number one priority is academics where he is truly outstanding.”

Reynolds, who played center as a junior, named his strength and conditioning coach Carl Elliott is his STAR Teacher.