No sophomore slump expected for Piscataway's Barnwell

Elijah Barnwell proved in training camp a year ago that he had the athletic ability to start as a freshman, but Piscataway head coach Dan Higgins wondered how one so young would handle the mental rigors of big-time football.

Any concerns were quickly allayed as Barnwell, whose older brother Nadir is a starting defensive back at Rutgers University, demonstrated an acumen for the game that belied his age.

"Immediately he just impressed us from Day One with how football smart he was," said Higgins, who presides over one of the state's winningest public school programs.

"Obviously he comes from a great football family. He's been hanging around his brother and drilling and training all those years. The athletic ability matches the intelligence. I was worried about the mental part of the game because it's challenging for a kid to come from Pop Warner to play Group V football in the GMC Red Division. He was never fazed by any of that."

Barnwell went on to rush for a freshman school record 1,221 yards as Piscataway's starting tailback and recorded 75 tackles on defense, where he was utilized as an outside linebacker/strong safety hybrid in the team's 4-3 scheme.

College coaches, including the Scarlet Knights' Kyle Flood, who was the first to offer Barnwell a scholarship, and national scouts took notice of Barnwell's physical and mental gifts.

"Big Ten schools are all over him," said Higgins, noting nearly 50 colleges paid a visit to Piscataway in the spring. "He was pretty much one of the main reasons that they all came through. They wanted to meet him.

A month ago, Barnwell was named to MaxPreps.com's sophomore preseason All-American team, and by the end of the 2014 season his mailbox should be filled with more scholarship offers.

"I've never seen such a polished player at his age," said Higgins, noting 15 former Chiefs played college football and six more were on NFL rosters a year ago. "I've seen some tremendous athletes come through our school, but he is a student of the game. The future is so bright for him."

Barnwell and his teammates took their lumps early last season as Piscataway, which was decimated by graduation, got off to an uncharacteristic 2-3 start.

The young Chiefs rebounded to win five of their last six games with the lone defeat coming to Union in the North 2 Group V semifinals.

Rushing behind a gifted offensive line, Barnwell played a major role in the dramatic turnaround, helping Piscataway reach the playoffs for a 17th consecutive season.

"The whole time he was doing amazing things I was just waiting for the slipper to fall," Higgins said of his Cinderella back. "It never happened. He just kept getting better as the season went on. Every time we gave him the ball, something good happened."

Barnwell has excellent vision, speed on the perimeter but perhaps most dangerous as a slippery runner between the tackles. His acceleration and explosiveness improved as the year progressed.

"I've been around a long time, and I've never heard of anybody in 40 years playing (every snap) as a freshman," Higgins said, "and playing well, not just showing up and taking a spot."

Chiefs

Coach: Dan Higgins, twelfth season (101-25)

Assistants: John Bizzell (defensive coordinator, defensive line); Craig Lowery (offensive coordinator, quarterbacks); A.J. Cook (receivers, defensive backs, special teams); Jeff Cerro (offensive line); Damon Pleasant (running backs, defensive backs); Robert Uhrin (freshman); Devraun Thompson (volunteer); Nick Corvino (volunteer); David Fludd (volunteer); John Griggs (volunteer); Adam Latham (volunteer); John Mammon (volunteer); Frank Oliver (volunteer); Craig Rawles (volunteer); Matt Recine (volunteer); Frank Uhrin (volunteer); Gerry Wilson (volunteer); Calvin Williams (volunteer); John Thompson (volunteer); Terrance Fox (volunteer).

Stadium: Ciardi Field (turf)

Colors: Black and gold

Classification: North 2 Group V

Offensive formation: Multiple

Defensive formation: 4-3

Last year (7-4 overall, 5-3 GMC Red): Edison 34-22 (L), Old Bridge 17-16 (W), J.P. Stevens 44-6 (W), South Brunswick 42-14 (L), Sayreville 39-18 (L), Monroe 35-19 (W), North Brunswick 35-7 (W), East Brunswick 49-7 (W), Edison 21-14 (W), Union 47-24 (L), Franklin 25-7 (W)

2014 schedule: Sept. 12 East Brunswick, 7 p.m.; Sept. 19 at Monroe, 7 p.m.; Sept. 27 at Edison , 2 p.m.; Oct. 10 at J.P. Stevens, 7 p.m.; Oct. 17 North Brunswick, 7 p.m.; Oct. 24 at Sayreville, 7 p.m.; Oct. 31 South Brunswick, 7 p.m.; Nov. 7 Old Bridge, 7 p.m.; Nov. 27 at Franklin, 11 a.m.

RETURNING LEADERS

THE SKINNY

Returning starters: Elijah Barnwell (So., 5-11, 190, RB-LB); Elijah Pierson (Sr., 5-8, 165, RB-DB); Tyrell Bush (Sr., 5-9, 170, RB/WR-DB); Elorm Lumor (Sr., 6-3, 220, TE-DE); Darren Felton (Sr., 5-11, 235, C-DT); Jamil Gilmore (Sr., 6-3, 255, T-DT); Charles Mitchell (Sr., 6-1, 255, T-DT); Isiah Ross (Sr., 6-1, 175, WR-DB)

Key losses: Dajon Foat (FB-LB), Kyren Nash (RB-LB), Justin Strother (QB), Ladi Isijola (WR), Juwaan Walker (WR-DB)

Top newcomers: Zaire Ashley (Jr., 6-1, 210, FB-LB); George Eley (Sr., 6-0, 160, WR); Malachi Bobbit (Jr., 5-11, 210, TE/DE); Peter Nagy (Jr., 5-9, 185, OL-DL); Nazeer James (So., 5-9, 175, CB/WR); Quinton Stone (Sr., 6-2, 220, T-DE)