This week, our Friday Lights Out Host, Taylor Arenz, sat down with the Austin Westlake Chaparrals kicker, Charlie Barnett.
Charlie was the starting punter and long field goal kicker for the 6A DII State Champions. In a championship game that saw Denton Guyer control the first half, Westlake took a second-half lead and seemed to be taking control. However, Guyer struck back to cut into the lead, and the next Westlake Drive stalled just past midfield. Westlake lined up to punt, however, Guyer called a timeout. This gave Head Coach Todd Dodge time to reconsider punting.
And Then A Legend Was Born
Shocking those in attendance and the large national audience watching the game, Dodge sent Charlie Barnett out to try a 53-yard field goal. If Barnett missed, Denton Guyer would have all the momentum and the ball near midfield for a go-ahead score.
Barnett did not miss.
As the crowd was adding up the yards and figuring if such a kick was possible, Barnett drilled a UIL Texas High School Football State Title game record 53-yard field goal. The kick put all the momentum on the side of Westlake, the defensive quickly stopped Guyer on the next drive, and then Klubnik connected again with Greathouse to start to put the game away.
Barnett, a now 3-time state champion kicker, is going to Army next year, where he looks forward to kicking in college, but even more so, learning to become a soldier.
Watch The Interview Here:
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