Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
NORTH MANCHESTER -ÊWhen David Barrett wore the blue and white of his youth league football team sponsored by the Optimists, he was a red-striper.
As a defensive lineman who weighed more than 105 pounds, he was never allowed to touch the football.
"I was the fastest defensive lineman," said Barrett. "Then when I got into seventh grade they moved me to tailback.
"The first time I touched the ball, I ran 92 yards for a touchdown. We ended up winning that game 30-0 over Wabash."
This year, as a senior at Manchester High School, Barrett carried the football 343 times for 2,394 yards and 30 touchdowns. This is why Barrett, who led the state in rushing during the regular season, is the 1998 Times-Union Offensive Player of the Year.
Barrett, a team captain, was also named to the Bloomington Herald-Times Top 33, selected as first team All-State in the AP and Coaches Association polls and honored as the 1998 Wabash County Player of the Year.
He was also named to the Three Rivers Conference All-Conference first team.
Despite being one of the most-honored players in the area, Barrett still remembers the "little guys".
Literally.
"David is probably the one player who realizes how much young kids look up to high school athletes," said Manchester head coach Al Bailey. "He has a special rapoire with young players. He always stops to talk to them or give them an autograph if they want one."
"I remember when I was a little kid," said Barrett. "I looked up to high school football players."
In fact, one boy named Mikey went to most of Manchester's football games and always talked to Barrett afterward.
Barrett remembered Mikey and bought him a football for Christmas.
The little guys are not the only ones Barrett remembers.
He gives much of the credit for his success to the offensive linemen who make the holes for him to run through.
"David has learned to use the offensive linemen to gain yardage," said Bailey. "He realizes how important they are, and he praises them every time he gets the chance."
"They deserve the recognition," said Barrett. "To stop me, they have to stop those guys first.
"Every one of those guys is in the weight room all summer working hard to improve."
When the the Squires began the football season, they had three tackles but no center. Jeff Daugherty was moved from tackle to center, and Nate Young and Kory Rupley filled the tackle positions.
"Jeff Daugherty did a great job at center," said Barrett. "Most of my runs and touchdowns came through the strong side, and Nate Young deserves a lot of credit for that."
Another group Barrett tries not to forget are other athletes.
When he is not working at Pizza Hut, he attends all the Manchester sporting events he can.
"I like to support my teammates and other athletes," said Barrett. "They come to support me so I try to do the same for them."
Barrett hopes to move on to play football at the next level, college.
"I want to play college football," said Barrett. "Football is my favorite sport.
"Everything revolves around football. I used to wrestle and run track to condition for football. I stopped wrestling after my sophomore year so I could get bigger and stronger.
"It all comes down to playing college football."
Oh, and that youth league? Barrett and several other senior and junior football players from Manchester High School still go to those youth league games - as referees.
"We pick up a whistle and a flag and referee every Sunday during the youth league season," said Barrett.
