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Tennessee Football Target Asa Barnes Runs Through Defending Champs in Statement Performance

Westview running back Asa Barnes powered past MASE’s elite defense with 112 yards, a touchdown, and a defensive showcase, solidifying his standing as a top Tennessee recruiting target.
Josh Greer|
Asa Barnes Shines Against Defending Champs
Asa Barnes Shines Against Defending Champs | Laura Martinez/ Laura M Photography

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The stage was set for a clash of titans in Tennessee high school football. Westview, the high-powered offensive machine from 3A, squared off with Memphis Academy of Science and Engineering (MASE), the reigning 1A state champions who had allowed less than 8.4 points per game in their 2024 title run. With four-star defensive tackle Jamarkus Pittman, the No. 2 defensive tackle in the Class of 2027, anchoring the line, the expectation was that MASE’s defense would hold firm. But Westview’s running back, Asa Barnes, had other plans.

Tennessee Football Target Asa Barnes Runs Through Defending Champs in Statement Performance

A Test of Strength in the Trenches

The first half was a grinder. MASE proved exactly why they ran the table a year ago, forcing Westview to earn every inch. At the break, it was just 8–0, and both defenses traded blows in a matchup that felt like a playoff preview. Pittman and company clogged gaps, made tackles behind the line, and gave Westview’s offensive front all it could handle.

Tennessee Recruit RB Asa Barnes
Tennessee Recruit RB Asa Barnes | Laura Martinez/ Laura M Photography

But football games are often decided by the players who embrace contact, who welcome the toughest yards. That is where Barnes separated himself.

Barnes Delivers on Both Sides of the Ball

Offensively, Barnes was relentless. His 17 carries for 112 yards and a touchdown did not just rack up stats, they defined the rhythm of the game. Averaging 6.58 yards per carry against one of the best defensive fronts in the state, he continually put the Chargers in scoring position. Whether bouncing outside or lowering his shoulder inside, Barnes showed the blend of vision, toughness, and burst that has recruiters across the Southeast watching closely.

What makes his performance even more impressive was his work on defense. Barnes had several tackles and forced a fumble, energizing a Chargers defense that blanked MASE. His two-way dominance underscored his value as a complete football player, a throwback to the kind of athletes who change the outcome of games in multiple phases.

A Statement Win for Westview

In the second half, the Chargers’ offense hit its stride, with Miles Brown and Barnes’ steady production setting the tone. Westview rolled to a 34–0 victory, an emphatic statement against the defending champs. The win reinforced Westview’s offensive firepower while spotlighting Barnes as one of the premier talents in the state.

Recruiting Outlook

Barnes’ recruitment is heating up, and the University of Tennessee sits prominently on his list. With the Vols continuing to prioritize in-state talent under Josh Heupel, performances like this only solidify Barnes’ case as a must-get prospect. His combination of durability, explosiveness, and defensive tenacity makes him a potential impact player at the next level.

Against a defense led by one of the nation’s top defensive linemen, Barnes did not just survive, he thrived. And in doing so, he may have taken another step toward becoming one of the most sought-after running backs in Tennessee’s 2027 recruiting cycle.

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Josh Greer
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