Westmoreland County football Q&A with Jeannette’s Marcus Barnes

By: HSSN Staff
Wednesday, October 18, 2017 | 5:45 PM

Previous Next

Previous Next

With soft hands, syrupy moves and an easy stride, Jeannette's Marcus Barnes can appear to be on cruise control when he catches passes.

If he scores one more touchdown or grabs another interception, the standout junior can put it in drive.

“I made a deal with my dad,” Barnes said. “If my total touchdowns and interceptions equal 12, I get a car.”

Barnes has seven receiving touchdowns and four interceptions for Class A No. 1 Jeannette (8-0). He practically can hear the keys jingling as the high-scoring Jayhawks head for the WPIAL postseason.

“I don't know about all the car stuff. We're not like, ‘Let's get him scores so he gets a car,' ” Jeannette coach Roy Hall said with a laugh. “He is a great receiver. He has the best set of hands I have seen since I've been coaching. He is just so smooth.”

Barnes has football pedigree. His dad is former NFL receiver Johnnie Barnes, who spent three seasons with the San Diego Chargers, and one with the Steelers, from 1992-94.

Marcus already is taller than his dad (6-foot-3, 180 pounds) and could be on a similar the path to a Division I career.

Johnnie played at Hampton (Va.).

“He keeps working … if he makes the progress he made from sophomore to junior, sky's the limit,” Hall said.

Hall said in the preseason that Jeannette could go back to the old Art Tragesser-patended run-and-shoot because of his team's size and depth at receiver. Barnes is opposite 6-3 Tre Cunningham.

A wing-T team since former coach Ray Reitz wiped the dry-erase board and started clean, Jeannette has “variations” of run-and-shoot plays now. Dual-threat quarterback Robert Kennedy has thrown for more than 1,000 yards and 18 touchdowns, with Barnes his top target.

Barnes, who has 17 catches for 310 yards, took some time for this week's Q&A:

Your dad liked this area so much after his NFL days, he decided to settle down here?

Yes. He met my mom in Greensburg. I went to Greensburg Salem in seventh grade and came to Jeannette in eighth. My dad liked the Jeannette program and its tradition.

What has your dad taught you about playing wide receiver?

To be patient. We don't talk much football, to be honest. Just regular home talk.

So naturally, your favorite team is the Steelers or Chargers?

Actually, we like the Browns. I know, why them? We just do.

What's your favorite college team?

Ohio State. (Terrelle Pryor and Jordan Hall) were big role models. I liked West Virginia with Tavon Austin, too.

Are you hearing from colleges?

I visited Pitt (last week), and I am supposed to go to Eastern Michigan. I want to play college football, but I know I need to work harder.

What sets you apart as a pass-catcher?

My hands. I don't drop too many. Catching comes naturally, but I work at it, especially the routes.

What's it like to have Robert Kennedy throwing to you?

I always tell him, get it near me, and I'll go get it. He is having an amazing season. He's the real deal. And he is a good role model. He is so mature and is a great person to be around.

Word is you're the team prankster?

I like to joke around at practice and keep it loose. But I can get serious when I have to.

Any interesting hobbies?

Not really. I'm a normal kid. I like to play Madden. I go home to a dirty room. And I love to eat.

What's your favorite local place to eat?

New City Buffet or Frank O's.

Any interesting stories to tell?

A friend and I were talking about broken ankles. I went to practice that day and broke my ankle (in seven on sevens). I was out three weeks. No more ankle talk; change the subject.

Favorite movie?

All of the “Friday” movies.

Do you have a car picked out?

No not yet. I have to earn it first.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at bbeckner@tribweb.com or via Twitter @BillBeckner.

Tags: Jeannette