PHOTO BY BRAD BOURNIVAL

Twinsburg junior running back John Barton is the SportsInk.com Athlete of the Week for Oct. 9-15.

Twinsburg junior running back John Barton is the SportsInk.com Athlete of the Week for Oct. 9-15.

The Tigers' football standout scored six touchdowns in an Oct. 6 home win over Brunswick and through seven weeks had accounted for 24 touchdowns and more than 850 rushing yards.

“What you saw from John in the game against Brunswick is what we see everyday in practice,” first-year Twinsburg coach Joe Schiavone said.

Barton ripped the Blue Devils for 297 yards on the ground and 66 yards on pass receptions. He had scoring runs of 23, 72, 3, 92 and 5 yards and caught a 13-yard touchdown pass. He also had another a 72-yard TD run wiped out by penalty.

“I like playing offense, I like getting the ball,” he said. 

Twinsburg is 5-3 after a difficult 27-21 overtime loss to Solon on Oct. 14.

“He is a first-class player and person as I have had the pleasure of coaching and teaching him,” Schiavone said.

Barton had played soccer until the 8th grade when a football coach urged the fleet-footed athlete to test his skills on the gridiron and the rest is history.

The 5-foot-9, 175-pounder started for the Tigers last year and has taken is game to another level this season. Barton gained close to 20 pounds in the offseason trying to get stronger for the additional work this year.

“I really applied myself to the weight room and I believe it has worked for me,” he said.

At his size, Barton has the unique ability to get the edge on toss sweeps or to pound between the tackles and get the tough yards. He also can catch the ball or pass protect.

Barton has two older brothers (Mike and Chris) and both had a positive influence on him. His brother, Mike, seldom misses a game.

He also is a sprinter on the Twinsburg track team.

“On the field, we knew what we had the first time we saw him,” Schiavone said.

“I have more work to do this offseason to get ready for my senior season and the next level," Barton explained. "I will be back in the weight room for sure."

John Barton

Junior

Twinsburg

Football/Track

GPA: 3.8

TV:  SportsCenter

Pizza:  Sausage

Home Cooking:  Roast beef and mashed potatoes

iPod:  Lincoln Park

Class:  Sociology

Bucket List:  Play in the NFL