The final ride has arrived for Independence senior Reece Reichenberger, and he plans to make every Friday night count.

After spending nearly a decade playing alongside many of the same teammates, Reichenberger is embracing the opportunity to finish his high school career with the players he has grown up with. While the season will be emotional, he believes the group’s chemistry and experience could make it one to remember.

“This season I am most excited for one last season with all the guys,” Reichenberger said. “We have been playing together since about third grade, and while it’s bittersweet, it’s going to be a lot of fun going to battle on Friday nights one last time.”

One game already has his full attention.

“I am also super excited to play Labette County at their place,” Reichenberger said. “As we all know what happened last year when we played them, and we are ready to do it again. I have that game circled on the schedule along with many of the guys on the team.”

Reichenberger has spent the offseason preparing for those moments by committing himself to the weight room. While camps and on-field work have been important, he believes strength will be a deciding factor for the Bulldogs this fall.

“The main thing I’ve been doing this offseason is staying in the weight room every day,” he said. “We’ve gone to some camps and put the work in on the field, but staying in the weight room will be a factor in the games we win this season.”

A second-team All-Southeast Kansas League linebacker a year ago, Reichenberger has set his sights on becoming even more disruptive on defense. He knows stopping the run consistently will be critical, especially while playing outside linebacker.

“Being fast off the ball and getting to your gap is key in being able to be an elite run-stopping linebacker, and that’s what I want to be,” Reichenberger said. “Being undersized at my OLB position is already a disadvantage, so I’ve definitely put on some muscle and I’m seeing good progress in the weight room.”

He also credited his coaches for helping elevate his game.

“Coach Fiscus and Coach Rose have been great in coaching me to get better on and off the field,” Reichenberger said.

Reichenberger produced on both sides of the ball last season, finishing with 56 total tackles, one sack, three tackles for loss and two interceptions while also catching 17 passes for 251 yards and two touchdowns. Those numbers earned him second-team All-SEK honors at linebacker and all-area honorable mention recognition.

His goals for his senior season reflect his desire to contribute in every phase of the game.

“My individual goals are to make first-team All-SEK and first-team all-area honors and to lead the team in tackles,” Richenberger said. “I also want to lead the team in receiving yards and receptions. Other personal goals I have are becoming a better leader and setting an example that everyone can follow on and off the field.”

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