MacArthur High School senior wide receiver Garrett Barnes made his way back to the refreshment stand for another cup of Gatorade and then went back to sit with his friends where he began patiently waiting for the last of the coaches to go through the food line.
It was early Wednesday evening. Barnes and the rest of the Highlander football team were being treated to a meal provided by the booster club and Buffalo Wild Wings. All Barnes wanted was another shot at those wings. Barnes knows all about getting another shot, another chance. He also knows how to take advantage of those opportunities.
Enjoying his best year as a Highlander last season, Barnes was dealt a setback when an injury in the regular-season finale sidelined him for the remainder of the season. That meant missing the playoffs and the opportunity to play in the championship game for the Gold Ball.
The incident is well sketched into Barnes’ memory. Trailing by eight Altus late in the game, Bo Martin scored on a three-yard run, pulling Mac with two, 11-9. Opting to go for the two-point conversion, Barnes got the call on a reverse.
“All I remember is wanting to get into the end zone,” said the amiable Barnes. “I just wanted to get into the end zone and give my team a chance to win.”
That’s exactly what Barnes did, diving into the end zone to tie the score bat 11-all. Minutes later Jeff Schilitte drilled a 20-yard field goal, capping Mac’s come-from-behind win. But the win did not come without its cost. When Barnes dove into the end zone he landed on a pylon, breaking his collarbone. Just like that his season was over.
“It was pretty frustrating,” said the 5-11, 180-pounder. “It was hard to just sit and watch everybody practice because I wanted to play so bad.”
Fortunately for Barnes, he had one more year left. One more year to experience what he didn’t those final four weeks last year.
“My goal this year is not to get hurt,” Barnes said. “My mission is not to get hurt and get us back to where we were last year.”
So far that’s just what he’s been doing. Rated No. 4 with a 4-0 record, Mac has looked to Barnes as its go-to guy. Barnes leads the team in receptions and reception yardage with 18 and 244, respectively. He also has scored two TDs.
It’s not Barnes’ blazing speed which has made him such a deadly target, nor has it been his size. Barnes is a Fred Biletnikoff or Steve Largent type of receiver. In other words, he runs great routes and has great hands. Throw anything in his general vicinity and more times than not he’ll make the catch.
“He’s a very talented athlete,” Mac head coach Ernie Manning said. “He runs great routes and has great hands. We have receivers who don’t have a knack of getting open, but Garrrett runs precise routes and he has a knack of getting open. He made a great sideline catch for us against Eisenhower which eventually led to the game winning field goal.”
More Barnes’ heroics. Sound familiar?
BARNES