Barnes to take talents to Texas Lutheran University
After helping the Marble Falls High School football team flip field position with his powerful punts and kickoffs, senior place kicker and punter Logan Barnes is aiming to do the same for Texas Lutheran University.
Barnes committed to play for the Bulldogs as a punter and a shot and discus thrower for the track and field squad.
“It felt like Marble Falls,” he said. “It feels like family where the players are going to be first. They were going to do the best for me if I did the best for them.”
TLU coaches heard about Barnes from a surprising group: the Mission Veterans Memorial coaches. They had a great look at the kicker and punter when their team lost to the Mustangs 35-13 No. 19 in the area round of the Class 5A Division II playoffs. Barnes powered kickoffs out of the back of the end zone and another pinned the Patriots deep in their own territory. He also had a 57-yard punt.
“A week after the season ended, TLU called me,” Barnes said. “They told them, ‘You need to get this kid.'”
Barnes was simply adding to his reputation against the Patriots. A week earlier against Brenham, he booted punts of 68 yards that was downed near the one-yard line and a 56-yarder that went out of the back of the end zone. And his first punt in that contest that didn’t go farther than 20 yards is one that he remembers, too.
“I knew as soon as it came off my foot it wasn’t going to be a good punt,” he said. “I felt horrible at the time. (Special teams) coach (Clay) Bode said, ‘Stop thinking about it. You’re built for this situation. You’ll get a hold of one the next time.'”
The punter used that advice and more than made up for the shank punt throughout the game that helped the Mustangs defeat the Cubs 27-21 in double overtime.
“It feels amazing I can do my job the way I’m supposed to,” he said. “My coaches and teammates appreciate me and know the importance of it. I practice a lot during the season. I’d be out on our little field (at home). I’d be out there for hours every day trying to perfect (my craft), trying to be the best I can.”
His personal best punt is 71 yards during a game and he’s had a couple of 75-yarders in practice. In order to get more distance, he’s committed himself to intense weightlifting sessions that last between 1.5-2 hours daily. Barnes credits MFHS strength-and-conditioning coach Richard Scales for what’s happening in the weight room that’s translating to the field. Scales also is the track and field team’s throwing coach.
“Coach Scales has a really good program for me to get stronger all the way around,” he said.
His personal best in the discus is 151 feet and his personal best in the shot put is 44-5.
“I had been recruited for football,” he said. “The track team heard my name from the coaches. They looked me up and also decided they wanted me. I’ve had fun doing it. I’ve been successful. I’m trying to do the best I can for my team. Coaches at TLU support me and encourage me to do both. It’s been a great situation for me so far.”
The son of Eric Barnes will major in education and double minor in kinesiology and history to become a teacher and coach.
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