Derry tackle Collin Barkley is the Trojans’ ironman

By: Paul Schofield
Friday, August 9, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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Every once in a while, Derry senior Collin Barkley will raise his hand to tell coach Mike Arone he needs a break. It doesn’t happen often.

“It’s very rare he comes off the field,” Arone said. “Typically that’s one play and he’s back in the game. He’s a true ironman football player.”

Barkley is a tackle on offense and defense. He’s the long snapper on punts, field goals and extra points. And he’s special teams demon.

The 6-foot, 190-pound senior loves the game, especially the physical part.

“I’m a little undersized, but physicality is really most of it,” Barkley said. “If you stay physical, stay low and play hard, you’ll win most battles. I come off the field maybe one, two or three plays a game.

“I play both sides and all phases of the game. I love the physicality of the game. It takes my mind off things and you get a chance to hit someone legally. I don’t mind it.”

Arone is impressed by more than Barkley’s physicality.

“It’s his work ethic that makes him special.” Arone said. “He’s started every game since he was a sophomore. He loves the game of football, he loves to be physical, and he just works hard. He pushes other guys and he’s a leader. He’s everything you can ask for in a football player.”

Barkley said he’s more of a leader by example. He’d rather show a younger player what he did wrong than yell at him.

“We have a couple vocal leaders. I like to lead by example,” Barkley said. “A lot of times, if I see someone make an error, I go over and help them. It’s part of senior leadership. I really want to focus on getting them better.”

Arone added: “We expect him to continue to be a leader and grow into that role and hold his teammates accountable. We expect him to show up for every game, and he’s always proven that he will, and continue to lead and make plays.”

Even though he is small, he likes the challenge of going against the bigger offensive linemen.

“I watch film and a lot of times with bigger guys, they stay real high,” Barkley said, “But as long as I stay low and hit them at the hips, they fold. It’s about placement.”

Barkley said he’s excited about the upcoming season. His focus is on the season opener at Ligonier Valley. He said the conference rival it will be fun to face is Greensburg Salem because the game got a little heated last year.

“We’re looking to come out and do more than last year,” Barkley said. “We’re looking to go further in the playoffs. That’s our goal. We’re trying to go all the way. To achieve those goals, we have to have effort and be physical. “

Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.

Tags: Derry Area