Barber leads St. John’s past St. Thomas

- by Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald
Kai Barber
Kai Barber

Former Totino Grace football star Kai Barber rushed 16 times for 81 yards and two touchdowns in leading St. John’s University to a 38-20 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) victory over archrival St. Thomas. The game was played before a crowd of over 19,000 at Allianz Field in St. Paul last Saturday afternoon. St. John’s is ranked number four in an NCAA Division III poll.

The 6’1” 220-pound senior scored both of his touchdowns in the third quarter from 29 yards out and one yard out, giving his team the lead for good after trailing 14-0 early.

In response to the victory after the game, Barber indicated that time is of the essence and that he will give his all no matter what. “I’m doing everything for the last time,” he said. “Enjoy the moment.”

Prep Scene spotlight: Minneapolis North    

The Minneapolis North football team, coached by Charles Adams, will take an undefeated regular-season record and number-two-ranking in Class 2A into the Section 4AA playoffs this week.

The Polars are led offensively by quarterback Zach Yeager, running back Terrance Kamara and receiver Mario Sanders.

Quientrail Jamison-Travis, Dominic McMillan, Dave Wylie, Devon Townley Jr., Quixote Herron, Elisha Jackson Jr. and Josh Collins lead the defense.

Former prep athlete: Omar Brown

Former Minneapolis North football and basketball standout Omar Brown is already contributing to Northern Iowa’s football team as a freshman. The 6’1” 195-pound defensive back has 44 tackles (26 solo) and two interceptions after six games.

Beyond the Prep Scene: Gopher volleyball and football

Stephanie Samedy (10 kills), Alexis Hart (seven kills), and Blaine High School graduate Taylor Morgan (six kills) led the University of Minnesota, ranked number seven in the country, to a 3-0 victory over Northwestern last Friday evening.

The following night, Samedy led the way with 16 kills and Adanna Rollins added 11 in a 3-1 win over number 17 Illinois.

The football team is undefeated (7-0) and ranked number 17, behind the outstanding play of running back Rodney Smith, receivers Rashad Bateman and Tyler Johnson (Minneapolis North), linebackers Kamal Martin (Burnsville) and Thomas Barber (Robbinsdale Armstrong), and defensive backs Antoine Winfield Jr. and Chris Williamson.