"Me and A.J. have only known each other for two years now," recalled Stroud. "When he first moved in, my first words were 'I'm always open' and from then on, we just connected and became good friends.
"A.J. is a very competitive person and his passion for the game is unmatched. It is also a good feeling to know that when I'm open, the ball is going to be there."
The 6-foot-4, 195-pound Martinsville High senior signal caller Reynolds has had no trouble finding his 5-foot-10, 180-pound classmate this season as the duo have hooked up 80 times for 962 yards with 12 touchdowns.
These impressive totals are the main reason why the No. 2 (Class 4A) Artesians (8-0) are off to their best start since 1982.
"Hunter Stroud is one of the top receivers in the state," explained Reynolds, who is 132-of-178 for 1,812 yards with 22 touchdowns. "Our chemistry on the field is crazy. We both know that the other guy will always do his job and make a play."
Martinsville boss Brian Dugger is impressed with the way his talented duo complements each other.
"A.J. and Hunter are two of the most talented and competitive kids I have ever coached," explained Dugger. "What makes them great individually is they both will compete for anything. They want to win at everything they do, it's all they know how to do is compete and try and win. Together, they are great friends and they are just on the same wave length. You hardly ever see them separated during the school day and they are each other's biggest critics.
"They don't mind giving it to each other on putting the ball in better spot or getting out of your break quicker. They push each other to be great and they allow each other to do that."
Their chemistry was evident back on September 13 against defending Class 5A state runner up Decatur Central when Martinsville erased a 35-0 deficit and rallied for a 39-38 victory.
"I will be honest that it was really hard to stay motivated at first," recalled Reynolds, who was 16-of-28 for 252 yards with four touchdowns and ran for another tally. "But I knew as long as I was playing the game with my teammates then we can get the job done. Our whole mentality at half was why not make history."
Stroud played a big role in the comeback against the Hawks as well with seven catches for 99 yards with three scores.
"The Decatur Central game was definitely one to remember," Stroud said. "I think there's a few things that helped me stay composed. I think that my belief in God and me playing three years of varsity in three different sports really helped me in that situation. Our sideline is just always into the game and supporting the varsity players, so once we saw that silver lining, the vibe changed completely."
A fixture on the gridiron since he was a youth, Hunter's talents also extend to the hardwood where he averaged 12.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per contest as well as the baseball diamond where he had four hits and two runs batted in this past spring.
"I started playing football when I was three years old and played until fifth grade at Martinsville when we moved to a school that didn't have football for sixth grade," recalled Stroud, who had 66 catches for 950 yards with six scores in 2023. "But we ended up moving back to Martinsville for seventh grade and I have played ever since.
"My biggest influences are definitely some of my family members. My mom is awesome and has always been there for me. So, I like to play good for her. But with that being said, I want to play good for any of my family members that come to the games."
Unfortunately, free time is scarce for Stroud right now.
"I think the hardest things about playing three sports are not having much time to do things you want to do," said Stroud, who tallied 26 receptions for 304 yards with six touchdowns as a sophomore. "There are times I would like to do some things, but I have practice. But the good thing about it is that it makes you less lazy, and I feel like it makes me more outgoing. It is also cool to be known in the town and by other coaches."
Even with everything on, Hunter still maintains a 3.2 grade-point average.
"Between school, sports, and having a girlfriend, it does get challenging to do things I want to do," said Stroud. "So, my weekends are usually pretty busy, but luckily, my girlfriend is nice enough to let me do things I want to do sometimes. It's a good thing that deer like to move in the evening because I am a big deer hunter. So, after practice somedays, that's what I'll do.
"My freshman and sophomore year I didn't take school as serious as I needed to, but it should be up to at least a 3.4 by the end of the year. I have figured out the best way for me to balance academics and sports is just getting my work done in the classroom and using my time wisely during school. That way I don't have to do anything outside of school."
A.J.'s passion and commitment also began at an early age.
"I've been playing football since I was three years old," recalled Reynolds, who has a 3.4 grade-point average. "My biggest influences are my mom and dad. They got me started with flag football then moved to pads when I was seven years old.
"The way I balance sports and life is to be fully locked in when I'm playing or practicing and worry about the rest afterwards by doing my homework during school."
In addition to being in good physical shape, both players are also in the right frame of mind mentally as well.
"For physical preparation, I practice how I play," explained Reynolds, who was 131-of-207 for 1,736 yards with 14 touchdowns as a junior. "I always want to push myself to get better. For the mental side of things, I make sure I have all the plays down and watch some film. I also go into the games with a lot of confidence and tell myself to just do what I do and that will get the job done."
Unlike his teammate, Hunter just goes with the flow of things.
"I don't really have a pre-game routine or anything special I do through the week to prepare," Stroud said. "Other than icing my body from the week prior and watching some film, I just love the game. When the helmet goes on, that's when everything fades away and it's just me and my brothers out there going to war."
Now in his fifth year with the Artesians, Dugger has plenty of respect for his one-two punch.
"The two of them have worked in the offense for two years now and know it very well," explained Dugger. "They have reached the advance level in our offense of knowing what we want to attack and what compliments what. They are always coming over and giving suggestions of what they like and what they don't like. I've heard 'Trust me, I'll win' at least 30 times this year from both of them combined.
"They both are great kids on top of it all. They love to mess with me and talk trash to me every day and I make sure to give it right back to them. I wouldn't want it any other way. I love them both to death and it's been fun to be a part of their journey and can't what to see where it ends up."
The feeling is mutual for Hunter.
"Coach Dugger is a great coach and he has really built a winning program," Stroud said. "He is really good about holding me accountable and pushing me to my full potential. While at the same time. he is asking me how I'm doing or trying to play some prank on me. He also has a lot of trust in me to make big plays. So, it's pretty cool to have a coach like him."
A.J.'s relationship with his boss goes way back.
"I've known Dugg since he was at Southport and as a kid, I would do lessons with him at 6 a.m.," recalled Reynolds. "Playing for him now is great. He knows exactly how to push me and how to get me in the right mindset."
Heading into the regular season finale against No. 6 (Class 5A) Plainfield (7-1) on October 18, emotions will be high as they not on compete in their final regular season home game, but for an outright Mid-State Conference title as well.
"The most enjoyable part about this season is the type of bond our team has," Reynolds said. "We know when to lock in, but it's always fun being out on the field with them."
"The most enjoyable aspect about us winning is the respect we get, not just from other teams, but from our kids in our school and fans," Stroud said. "Each game we get more and more fans in the stands, so it's a good feeling."
As their high school career winds down, both A.J. and Hunter are hopeful their playing days will extend into 2025.
"I definitely want to play college football," Reynolds said. "I know I can compete with those guys and I just want my chance."
"I have one offer to Dayton University, but I am hoping to get some more so that I will have options," Stroud said. "We'll see what will happen from there."
