HARPERSFIELD — Luke Barbo may be better known as a running quarterback than a passer. But the Geneva senior not only came up with a 34-yard touchdown pass to give his team a 21-14 lead over Madison, but he played a little defense too. Barbo, who only attempted nine passes the entire game, connected over the middle with Hayden Diemer, who took it the distance.
The Eagles defense created a turnover and withstood a final Madison drive to seal a come-from-behind 21-14 win in a Chagrin Valley Conference Lake Division showdown at Spire Institute Friday night. For Barbo, it was a game like many games — one where he did not come off the field. “That’s not a luxury we can afford,” Geneva coach Don Shymskie said.
Aside from the game winning touchdown pass, he rushed for another 63 yards and made several big plays on defense. But, Barbo also threw an interception on Geneva’s first drive, which gave him three picks dating back to last week’s win at Lakeside. When his team needed a big play, though, he was ready for the moment.
“Sometimes, you have to do what you have to do,” he said. “I knew Hayden was going to be open, that’s a bread and butter we got. You stay confident, forget about the last play and make it work.
” The way he played defensively also meant just as much to him. “That’s my first position,” he said. “I’ve been a linebacker since my sophomore year.
I’m pretty confident at that position and I take a lot of pride in keeping my edge clean.�.