A year ago, Pittsburg’s Alex Barnes wowed a statewide audience by rushing for more than 300 yards and five touchdowns during a 42-14 win against Coffeyville.
High school football fans across the state will have another opportunity to watch Barnes and his Purple Dragons as they match up against the Coffeyville Golden Tornado at 7 p.m. Friday at Hutchinson Field in Pittsburg. For the second consecutive season, the game will be televised on Cox Channel Kansas.
It will be the channel’s first Friday Night Live broadcast of the season as defending Southeast Kansas League champion Pittsburg meets last year’s Class 4A state runner-up Coffeyville in the season opener for both teams.
“There’s no lack of focus from the boys this week,” Pittsburg coach Tom Nickelson said. “In the first game, there’s always nervous energy. We return a lot of starters from last season, but you never know what you have until you get in the fire. It will be a challenge against Coffeyville.”
The game will feature two of the top college football recruits in the state.
Barnes (6-0, 215) is listed as the No. 2 prospect in Kansas by ESPN Recruiting Nation. He has reportedly received offers from Kansas State, Kansas, Minnesota, Tulsa and Rutgers. He is being recruited as a running back and defensive back.
Barnes rushed for 1,348 yards and 23 touchdowns on only 150 carries last season.
After last year’s performance, slowing down Barnes will be a focus for the Coffeyville defense.
“We know he’s probably going to get the ball 30-35 times,” Coffeyville coach Murray Zogg said. “I just can’t imagine them not giving him the ball a bunch of times. We have to get penetration. We have to stop him before he gets going and before he makes cuts like he’s so good at doing. We have to be very disciplined against their option.”
Coffeyville’s Jamal Logan also has received his fair share of recruiting attention. A quarterback and linebacker, Logan (5-11, 214) is considered the state’s No. 13 recruit by ESPN. Recruited as a linebacker, Logan has reportedly received interest from such schools as Oklahoma State, Texas Tech and Kansas.
Logan posted 81 tackles and five sacks from his linebacker position last season, but will be taking over the duties at quarterback this fall.
“He’s a great athlete, and he’s intelligent,” Zogg said. “He can do a lot of neat things back there.”
Logan recently suffered a shoulder injury and missed last week’s team scrimmage. However, Zogg said Logan will start against Pittsburg.
“He’s banged up a little, but he will definitely play,” Zogg said. “I don’t know where the rumor started that he is out five to eight weeks.”
Dillon Humble also may see some time under center for Coffeyville.
However, Coffeyville’s strength should be its running game. Coffeyville returns LaDarrius Johnson and Destin Downing in the backfield. Johnson ran for 1,607 yards and 26 touchdowns on 189 carries, while Downing ran for 1,013 yards and 21 touchdowns on 105 attempts.
“Of course I’m biased but minus our two running backs, I think Coffeyville has the two best running backs in the league,” Nickelson said. “We have to stop their run game. Coffeyville has always had great athletes. This year is no different. They have a big offensive line. Their little guy is 6-foot and 255 pounds. They’re going to be a handful. They will be just as big of a challenge as last year.”
The Purple Dragons went undefeated in the SEK last season but finished with a 6-3 record after losing all three Class 5A district games. Coffeyville finished the 2013 season with a 12-2 record, losing only to Pittsburg and 4A state champion Buhler.
Coffeyville will try to beat Pittsburg for the first time since 1993.
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