Columbus Grove’s Trenton Barraza fights for yardage against Allen East’s Trey Hensley (left) and Jack Hoel (28) during last Friday night’s game at Grove.
Jessica Trinko | The Lima News
COLUMBUS GROVE – Trenton Barraza has a way of running with the football that looks effortless.
The Columbus Grove running back sprints right up to a defender and suddenly makes a spin move, leaving the would-be tackler in his dust. He appears trapped in a pile of players, then he just jump-cuts away.
It’s not effortless, though. He worked on his craft and battled back from adversity.
“It’s what practice is all about. You work out in practice and do what you want, with spin moves and a jump cut here and there,” Barraza said. “It carries over to games. You just have to be confident in yourself.”
The 6-foot-2, 175-pound junior has been a key part of the success for Columbus Grove (4-2, 3-0 Northwest Conference) this season. He turned in an impressive 251-yard, three-touchdown performance in last week’s 47-28 win against Allen East, when he had 209 rushing yards by halftime.
“We can’t teach that,” Bulldog coach Andy Schafer said, laughing at the understatement. “I’m just enjoying watching it. Not everybody has that ability.”
Barraza was a first-team all-NWC player and second-team all-Ohio player in 2022 after averaging 112.6 yards per week and scoring 11 touchdowns. It looked like his junior season might have become unhinged in the opening loss against Pandora-Gilboa, though, as he injured his ribs.
“It happened on the third play of the first game,” Schafer said. “Honestly it took him a little while both physically and mentally to just trust it. We felt like he made big steps last week. He looked really, really good (last Friday).”
Barraza, who is quick to credit the blocking of the offensive line, admitted he enjoyed his offensive outburst against Allen East.
“I don’t get through any of the line if it isn’t for my line blocking. I’ve got to thank them,” he said. “They make me look good, I will say that.”
Now, he’s averaging 105.8 yards per game, with more than just individual statistics on his mind. The Bulldogs are in a four-way tie atop the NWC, with Bluffton, Crestview and Leipsic. That’s about to be unknotted Friday, as Columbus Grove and Leipsic tangle and Bluffton and Crestview duel.
The Bulldogs aren’t playing with fear, though, senior offensive lineman Loudon Auchmuty said They believe in their running game.
“We’re running down the field the entire game,” he said after the win against Allen East. “I have total confidence in our team.”
There are plenty of reasons to be confident, with a team that broke 40 points scoring in their last three games. A healthy Barraza makes them look even more fierce.
“I’ve been waiting for this breakout game,” Barraza said. “This is not going to be the last one, I’ll say that. It’s huge for me. After that Pandora-Gilboa game, I was hurt a little bit. I fought back, and I’m glad to be back.”
David Trinko wrote this story for LimaScores.com. Reach The Lima News sports department at 567-242-0414.
