Dallas Cowboys

IRVING, Texas (AP) _ Dallas Cowboys rookie Jacques Reeves is a veteran of game days at Texas Stadium. <br/><br/>At nearly every Cowboys home game from 1997-99, Reeves was selling snacks to raise money

Thursday, October 14th 2004, 2:31 pm

By: News On 6

IRVING, Texas (AP) _ Dallas Cowboys rookie Jacques Reeves is a veteran of game days at Texas Stadium.

At nearly every Cowboys home game from 1997-99, Reeves was selling snacks to raise money for his track team at nearby Lancaster High School.

Such diligence has helped Reeves make a rapid rise from seventh-round draft pick and training camp afterthought -- to starter.

Reeves started for the first time Sunday, two days after celebrating his 22nd birthday.

He gave up several completions to Amani Toomer in a loss to the New York Giants, but played well enough that he's expected to start this Sunday against Pittsburgh.

That should be a challenge as Pittsburgh features A-F-C receptions-leader Hines Ward, Plaxico Burress and Antwaan Randle El.

Cowboys coach Bill Parcells called the three -- ``the best receiving trio in the league.''

Reeves is the youngest player on the Dallas roster.