Friendswood’s Beau Barnes was moved to outside linebacker. In the five games since the move, the Mustangs are allowing an average of just 18.6 points a game as opposed to the 25.3 points beforehand.
FRIENDSWOOD — When the Friendswood Mustangs were coming off back to back district losses earlier this season, head coach Steve Van Meter called senior Beau Barnes into his office.
The Mustangs had decided to move Barnes from inside to outside linebacker in hopes of giving the team a spark.
“Coach Van Meter told me about the move and asked me if that I was OK,” Barnes said.
“I had no problem with it. In fact, I was excited about it because I was going to get to play more pass coverage and blitz a lot more off the edge.”
Barnes’ excitement for the position change turned into results for the Mustangs. In the five games since the move, the Mustangs are allowing an average of just 18.6 points a game as opposed to the 25.3 points beforehand.
“We knew Beau had the ability and the athleticism to make plays from the outside,” said Friendswood defensive coordinator Gary Mullins. “It was as big a trigger as any for our defensive success.”
Van Meter agreed that Barnes has been the catalyst for the recent strong play of the defense.
“Barnes was playing good on the inside, but when we moved him to the outside, it secured the perimeter of our 3-4 front,” Van Meter said.
“He’s also given us an added dimension by being able to blitz off the edge. It can be pretty imposing for a 6-foot-5 player like him running at the quarterback.”
Chasing after a quarterback is one of Barnes’ favorite new responsibilities.
“I get excited when I get a blitz call,” Barnes said, “but I try my best to disguise it. If I can do that, then I can get a free release and have no one in my way of the quarterback.”
Such a situation happened early in the third quarter against Lamar Consolidated in Friday’s Region III-4A bidistrict playoff game.
Barnes charged as soon as the ball was snapped and he leveled the Lamar quarterback, forcing a fumble in the process.
The hit led to a Friendswood touchdown and inspired the entire team in the second half of the playoff victory.
“I’m sure he had his tongue out and was licking his chops as soon as he saw the quarterback turn his back,” Van Meter said.
“When Barnes makes a hit like that, it gets everyone excited.”
Barnes probably won’t play linebacker at the collegiate level.
Instead, Van Meter pictures him as a defensive end.
“My feeling is he’ll play with a hand down for a (Division I) school,” Van Meter said.
“His speed is more suited to play that position. He’s got a frame that will allow him to put on another 30 pounds or so, too.”
Barnes said he’d love to play college football for a Division I program like TCU, Texas A&M or Kansas. However, he also wants to go somewhere he can get a business degree and begin working on pre-law.
Before worrying about that though, he’s focused on leading the Mustangs to a second straight Region III-4A title.
“We’re always comparing this year’s team to last year’s team,” Barnes said. “I actually think we are a lot different. Last year’s team could score at will.
“This year, defense has been a lot bigger and we have to play for field position during games. Knowing that, I think the defense has stepped up in recent weeks and we are playing really well right now.”
