Junior captain Jacob Reasland has done more than lead Mitchell's offense during its first three games. He has been the Marauders offense, scoring nine goals and leading them to a 2-1 record last week. Reasland scored all three Mitchell goals during a 6-3 loss to Golden on Thursday, and scored four times to lead the Marauders to a 4-3 win over Manitou Springs on Saturday. As the football team's kicker he has kicked for two extra points this season.

Do you think you can keep up this kind of a scoring trend going for the rest of the year? Or is this one-time only?

Well even though I was the one actually getting the goal, I couldn't have been in the right place at the right time with the ball without the whole team playing with me.

So yeah, I think we can make it happen again. It just all seems to be coming together for us, and I think we're going to be a strong team this year, especially moving down to the 4A level. If we can come together a little more as a team, I think we can maybe make the playoffs this year.

What would be the ideal situation on the field that a teammate could set you up with?

I'd be up front, they'd send me a ball over the top and I'd make the run. It would be a breakaway and then, of course, I'd score (laughs).

Do you play club?

Yeah, for Pride Predators '92. I'm actually like our third-string keeper on that team, too.

But I've been with that team a long time, and that's where a lot of my experience comes from.

What's it like to be the team captain as a junior?

Well the guys are really easy to get along with, and I'm honored that I was chosen to be captain.

Our team captain graduated last year, and that's when I was nominated by the team.

Are there any games that you guys are really focusing on in your schedule?

Well I think we're all looking at Wasson as a big game. It's going to be at Garry Berry, and they're just a rival for us.

So you're also the kicker for the Mitchell football team? How does that work?

Well, as long as I get my practice time in and take my kicks, it's fine.

I have a PE class during 7th period, so I just come out and take my kicks and that counts as my practice so then I can go to soccer practice after school.

How were you recruited to do that?

I guess our captain from last year's team was also the kicker, so when he graduated, they just looked at me. Football's definitely a lot different from playing soccer, but the guys are great. But they know that soccer is my priority. They just needed a kicker.

OTHER PEAK PERFORMERS

BOYS CROSS COUNTRY

Sam Feldotto: The Classical Academy, senior Won St. Vrain Invitational in 16:16, a new course record.

GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY

Kaitlin Hanenburg: TCA, junior Set new course record (18:29) in win at St. Vrain Invitational.

FIELD HOCKEY

Sara Lewis: Cheyenne Mountain, senior Scored all three goals in win over Fountain Valley.

FOOTBALL

Matt Oesterle: Doherty, junior Two-way lineman recovered fumble in end zone for game-clinching TD in win over Palmer.

BOYS GOLF

Mike Guerra: Air Academy, senior Shot a 1-over-par 73 to lead Kadets at Ponderosa Invitational.

SOFTBALL

Rebecca Mulligan: Falcon, junior Batted 9-for-17 with five RBIs, including a double and triple this past weekend to extend nine-game hitting streak.

BOYS TENNIS

Stephen Mullenex: Rampart, junior Continued undefeated season with two dual meet wins last week.

VOLLEYBALL

Vanessa Gemignani: Doherty, senior Four-year starting setter led Spartans to three-game sweep of fourtime defending 3A state champion Colorado Springs Christian School.

JOE PAISlEY, THE GAZETTE