Diminutive Barnes ready to silence critics

By Allen Etzler
Published in Sports on August 5, 2014 1:48 PM

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Barnes ranked fourth on the team in carries (33) and averaged four yards per rush a year ago.

"I don't have any pressure," said Barnes, who was dressed in a white T-shirt and plain black shorts -- attire as unassuming as his size may indicate.

"I know I can handle it. I'm close with Malette, he knows me, he's rooting for me and knows I'm ready for it."

First-year Goldsboro head coach Bennett Johnson doesn't expect his running back to be anonymous to his opponents for very long. He has high aspirations for the confident back.

"He's got the heart of a lion," Johnson said. "He won't back down from anybody ... But he's got speed, agility he's shifty. We know Rayvonne will do his part. We're eager for him to have a big year.

"Come December people will know the name Rayvonne Barnes."

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Along with would-be tacklers, Barnes must avoid missteps of his own. He can't allow injuries, overexhaustion and a poor diet to bog him down.

"I don't put any of that junk food in my body," he said. "I'm always working out, always drinking water, stretching all that. I know the boundaries I've got, and if I want to go through them I can't have no setbacks."

Built like a bowling ball, compact with good lower body strength, Barnes has a natural low center of gravity that makes it hard for defenders to get leverage. The unique mixture of strength and speed -- similar to undersized Oakland Raiders running back Maurice Jones-Drew -- makes dragging him to the ground even more difficult.

What many don't know about Barnes is that he's a great pass-catcher. Johnson plans to use that to the team's advantage by getting Barnes to roam in open spaces on the field.

"The more we get him in space, get him in the screen game, get him out at split-end, get him in fast motion some, the better we'll be," Johnson said. "Smaller backs can really succeed in the game today."

If Barnes intends to consistently stay on the field, he can't constantly pound the ball between the tackles. Still, he's up to the challenge and willing to do whatever it takes during his final high school season to show he can play football in college.

"Put me to the test and I'll pass the test for you," Barnes said.

Even if it means running between the tackles every play?

"If I have to," he says sharply. "I know I could do it."