WISE, Va. – Lebanon football standouts Toby Baker and Mike Reece signed with the University of Virginia’s College at Wise. The two former Pioneers are preparing for the upcoming Cavalier football season.
It’s a different level, but the two Pioneers are still wearing red and black.
“It’s something we’ve dreamed of as kids,” stated Baker. “We’ve played together since we were little, and we’ve both worked hard for this. You put in the work from little league through middle school and high school. This is what we all want, and we’re excited to come out here and put all that good work to use.”
It has been an adjustment.
“For me, it’s been a full three-hundred-and-sixty-degree turnaround from high school to college,” Reece noted. “Just catching up with the speed, the play calls, and all that. It was hard at first, but Toby and I both came during the summer, and that really helped. We built strong relationships with everyone on the team. That’s been the biggest thing, just staying connected with all the teammates. That’s been a great thing about Wise, and it’s close to home. I sometimes go home, but it’s been awesome. I mean, it was the dream to play with Toby for as long as possible, and now we’re playing in college, so it’s made it a lot easier. He helps me with the plays back in our dorm, so it’s been awesome.”
Mike’s dad Chris Reece played for the Cavaliers. What’s it like following in his footsteps?
“It’s a little strange,” Mike commented. “I’m not gonna lie, I never thought I would play where he did. But it lined up that way, and it’s pretty funny. All the coaches joke about it.”
They also have some teammates who they played against in high school and who are suiting up for UVA-Wise.
“We went from battling it out, not just in football but also in basketball; we often talk about it, but now they’re just one of the guys,” remarked Reece. “We joke with each other constantly, both Jaalan Deel (Ridgeview) and Keith Chandler (Union), about who’s better and all that, but it’s the best to have them around, other Southwest Virginia boys. It’s been pretty cool to see all those local guys here.”
UVA-Wise has tapped into a lot of talent in this area.
“They’re amazing football players, and I think good players make each other better, and that’s what we’ve really learned from them,” Baker said. “You play against them… so I think that’s the coolest part of it is just getting some local guys and kind of putting this area under the spotlight. I think there is a lot of talent in this area that goes under the radar, and as a whole, we’re going to show off this area.”
Baker will likely remain at wide receiver and Reece at quarterback. Both arrived at UVA-Wise in July to get acclimated to the college game. There are tremendous differences from high school.
“Not only has it made us better football players, but it’s also made us closer as a team and built team chemistry,” declared Baker.
“When you’re around these guys twenty-four-seven, all day, with a very strict schedule, you have to be here at certain times. The lifts and conditioning were very intense. It was challenging if you didn’t have that prior conditioning and strength training. Fall camp is super hard.”
Having an early opportunity definitely helped them to make quick adjustments.
“I was very grateful that they allowed us to come in July,” Reece stated. “Just coming to that first throwing session and seeing how fast… it’s not so much about defense; it’s how fast my receivers are going. That makes a world of difference to timing. Getting the timing down with receivers is the biggest part. Now I’ve built that trust with them, and I know where they’re gonna break and be open. That’s the biggest part.
“We’ve got some fast guys on the team, and we’re throwing to some freaks of nature. I was very grateful to be here this summer.”
On Thursday, Aug. 27, the Cavaliers open the season when they travel to Clinton, South Carolina, to face Presbyterian.
