Two of the biggest strengths of the Durango High School football team this season have been running the ball on offense and stopping the run on defense, and Ryan Barkley has been a key factor in the team’s success in both areas.
Yet the casual Demons fan probably couldn’t point him out on the field, even though he’s a part of almost every play.
His name doesn’t get announced through the stadium speakers during games. He doesn’t score touchdowns; he paves the way for them.
Barkley, listed at 6-foot-7 and 283 pounds, is the anchor of the offensive line that has made the likes of Max Hyson, Dawson Marcum and Jordan Woolverton look so good this season. And as nose guard on the defensive line, he’s one of the most important guys on the field to plug holes and stuff the run.
“As a freshman, we saw flashes of him being a great player, and he’s gotten better every year,” DHS head coach David Vogt said of Barkley. “Last year and this year, he’s really been a strong point for us.”
Barkley came to Durango by way of Houston during his freshman year. He worked his way through the ranks on the football team and, entering his senior season, he was named one of the team’s four captains.
“It was a really big honor,” Barkely said of being named a team captain. “It’s awesome that the coaches and players want to look to me, and sometimes the coaches let me have a say. It’s a big honor.”
Barkley being named a captain makes perfect sense, as he brings everything a high school team needs to the field and locker room.
He has an easy-going, joke-cracking personality that captures his teammates’ attention and keeps everyone loose and relaxed. But he also can flip a switch mentally to turn into the gritty, aggressive player needed to succeed on the offensive and defensive lines.
“He’s a big guy who brings a nastiness. We need a tough guy in there to do that,” Vogt said. “Whenever we need a couple tough yards, you can probably guarantee we’ll go to his side.”
Barkley, the son of Jillian and William Barkley, brings a lot more than physical toughness to the O-line because he’s not just a big kid with a high tolerance of slamming into other big guys.
“On the offensive line, you’ve got to be smart. A lot of people think we just go out and butt heads with other people, but you’ve got to be smart,” Barkley said. “You don’t just have to remember the plays, you have to know which guy you have to block and you have to be able to read the defenses, too. You have to be able to see if a blitz is coming and read if the defensive lineman is going to slant to another gap. You really have to be able to read the defense.”
Barkley’s play has captured the attention of college programs across the mountain west, including Division I Montana State University and Division II programs such as Colorado Mesa University and West Texas A&M. But, before he turns all his football attention to the college level, he and the 13th-ranked Demons will host No. 5 Erie in the quarterfinals of the Colorado High School Activities Association Class 3A Football Playoffs at noon Saturday at DHS.
“We’re excited. It’s awesome. I’ve never played in a home playoff game,” Barkley said. “I’m excited and the whole team’s excited because this is the first time in a couple years we’ve had a home playoff game. It’s definitely exciting to have (Erie) come out here so we can beat them in front of our fans.”
kschneider@durangoherald.com
Behind the scenes with Ryan Barkley
What’s your favorite sports movie?: “The Longest Yard”
Who’s your favorite super hero?: That’s a tough one. Probably The Hulk.
What’s your favorite food?: Steak
If you won $1 million, what’s the first thing you’d do with the money?: Probably buy a big ranch somewhere.
What’s your favorite outdoor activity?: I really enjoy going out on the ATVs in the mountains.
What’s your favorite team?: The (Pittsburgh) Steelers
Who’s your favorite athlete?: Le’Veon Bell
Do you have a nickname?: Age 12. It’s kind of a football thing. I have really (bad) handwriting, so one of the seniors from two years ago gave it to me. I like it, it’s kinda funny.
Do you play any other sports?: No
What teacher or coach has had the biggest impact on you?: Coach (David) Vogt has had a really big impact on me. The school I came from (in Houston) before I came here, the coaches didn’t really connect with you too much. But when I got here, coach Vogt makes everyone feel like they’re really important. You get to know him really well, and I think that’s been awesome.
