Tustin Standout Reynolds Transfers to St. Paul

Jason Reynolds, a two-way starter for Tustin High’s football team, has transferred to Santa Fe Springs St. Paul, just days before his new school plays La Puente Bishop Amat, the No. 1-ranked team in the Southern Section Division I.

Reynolds enrolled at St. Paul on Wednesday and attended his first day of classes Thursday. There, he is reunited with Marijon Ancich, who coached Reynolds for three years at Tustin before taking the job at St. Paul this year.

Reynolds’ father, Art, is an assistant coach at St. Paul. He is employed by the Tustin Unified School District as a noon supervisor on the Tustin campus.

“We felt it was rather bizarre, but maybe the fact he coached at St. Paul had something to do with it,” Tustin Athletic Director Al Rosmino said. “(Art Reynolds) told us the lease ran out on his home in Tustin and that he was relocating and wanted Jason to be with him.’

“He felt it would be in his best interest at this time and that’s all the reason they gave us.”

Bill Clark, the Southern Section administrator in charge of football who will determine Reynolds’ eligibility at St. Paul, said he would probably get to the matter today. The Bishop Amat game is tonight.

“If there’s a bona fide change of address, he would be eligible (to play) immediately,” Clark said.

Reynolds, a 6-foot-3, 245-pound fullback and linebacker for the Tillers, is the team’s leading rusher, gaining 472 yards and averaging 5.9 per carry. He also started for the Tustin basketball team last season.

Reynolds left the school four days after Tustin (3-3, 1-2 in league) was upset by a 1-4 Saddleback team, making it unlikely that Tillers will earn one of the three automatic playoff berths in the eight-team Sea View League. The Tillers’ next four opponents have a combined record of 18-6. They play at Newport Harbor (5-1, 2-1) tonight.

Reynolds and Ancich did not return phone calls.