Since the dawn of competitive tackle football – whether it be at the pro, college, high school, or even youth level – the most important part of the game has been running the ball. Current head coach, former offensive coordinator Jamie Aull has been the epitome of this mindset since taking over play-calling duties for the North Atlanta Warriors six years ago. For Aull, his coaching philosophy has meant eating, sleeping and breathing the run game. In those six years, the most notable rusher to play for North Atlanta has been TK Mack who, during the 2019 season, ran for  more than 2,000 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns. Since Mack’s historic season, there has only been one player to eclipse 1,000 yards, and that is this year’s senior running back Demeitrus “Meedee” Barnes. What has led up to the undeniably historic year for the stellar halfback and what’s next for his football career?

It is no secret that the Warriors love running the ball and after Barnes’ 2023 season, there is no doubt he’s one of the best to ever do it at the school. On the year, Meedee was credited with over 1,200 total yards—with 1,160 rushing—and 25 touchdowns on only 162 carries, posting a stellar mark of more than seven yards per carry. These aren’t just empty stats however as his production cleared the way for a 9-2 record, second place in region, and a home playoff berth for North Atlanta. In the playoff game against Houston County, despite the team’s heartbreaking 32-to-42 loss, Barnes played spectacularly by gaining more than 100 yards and hitting paydirt for two touchdowns. “Being in the backfield with him and watching him change the game one carry at a time was really something special,” said junior quarterback Ian Reynolds.

Although Barnes’ incredible year was no shock to anyone in the Dubs locker room, fans and outside viewers likely would not have predicted his success. Barnes spent all four of his high school years as a running back at North Atlanta in which he showed flashes of his capabilities during his freshman and sophomore years. Despite this in 2022 as a junior, Meedee didn’t garner many looks with only 34 carries for under 200 yards and an uncharacteristic six fumbles. Going into the 2023 season, the team knew he was going to be the guy as the coaching staff and he worked on getting him to the level of play they knew he could achieve. “Measure a man by the distance traveled. Meedee went from 34 carries with six fumbles to 162 with zero. Some call it high and tight. We call it the ‘Medee Zone,’” said North Atlanta running backs coach Bryce Doe.

For a player who has achieved as much as Barnes has on the field with his play and off the field with the respect he displays and reciprocates with his peers, there is no doubt this is only the beginning of his football career. Colleges such as Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, and Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Missouri have already gone as far as to offer him the opportunity to suit up for them next fall. While they may be the first to call on Meedee to join their programs, they certainly won’t be the last with more collegiate attention sure to come. “The goal has always been to make it to the next level, get the starting job, and make the most of my college experience,” said senior Demeitrus Barnes.

For high school football especially, the ground game is king and likely always will be. In a season where he was usually resting by the fourth quarter with a running clock and dominating lead, stats don’t really tell the whole story of just how good Medee was. As the workhorse running back, he was second in school history in rushing yards, total touchdowns, and yard per carry in a season among other accomplishments. And he accomplished all of this while being a major contributor in the strongest offensive squad in school history. It’s not ridiculous to believe that he has the single greatest year for a running back in school history in terms of one player’s impact on one side of the ball.  Nonetheless, at the end of the day regardless of legacy or all time school standings, Demeitrus “Meedee” Barnes deserves every accolade and achievement coming his way.