JTRoach

MicahJo Barnett's untimely demise after a medical emergency in today's season opener has left the world in disbelief. It's a sad day in college football history but this is certainly not the way the William Jewell College RB will be remembered for years. A story that truly defines him comes from his high school day. As a junior at Liberty North High School, he tore his ACL and missed a key game against rival Christian Brothers College (CBC). That setback became a turning point. In the press conference after Liberty North’s first-ever state championship in December 2023, he was asked about facing CBC again as a senior. His answer was straightforward: the injury set him back, but teammates and coaches kept encouraging him, “God has my back,” and “everything happens for a reason. I’m glad that happened because it made me who I am.” He returned as a senior captain and produced 1,450 all-purpose yards and 20 touchdowns. In the state semifinal he scored the overtime touchdown that beat Rockhurst 28-27. In the Class 6 title game at Faurot Field he ran for 120 yards and two scores in a 38-7 win over CBC - the same program that had ended Liberty North’s seasons the previous two years. The Eagles finished 13-1 and claimed the school’s first football state title. At 5-foot-8 he was undersized for the position, yet he stayed home for college at nearby William Jewell so he could keep playing in front of the community that watched him grow up. He was one of seven siblings, a business administration major, and an Academic All-GLVC honoree. Last season he led the Cardinals in rushing (366 yards, four touchdowns) before another injury cut his year short; his best game was a 150-yard, three-touchdown night against Kentucky Wesleyan that started with a 75-yard score on the first play.