Westwood football energized by RB Keshawn Barkus, OL Samson Tengei
Westwood running back Keshawn Barkus wants to have a 3,000-yard season. Running behind Samson Tengei, he feels good about his chances.
Mesa Westwood spring football practices attract college coaches mainly because of two senior players — running back Keshawn Barkus and offensive lineman Samson Tengei. They are the team's heart and soul. And if they can get college coaches to Westwood practices, then that's great for everybody else on the team.
The way they've been practicing, they feel good about turning around a 4-7 season from a year ago, when Barkus ran for 1,648 yards and 18 touchdowns on 243 carries and caught 13 passes for 119 yards and a TD. He even completed all four passes he threw for 86 yards. So what does he have in store for the 2026 season?
"This season I want to be at 3,000 yards and 20-plus touchdowns," Barkus said. Barkus feels good about his chances with a completely healthy Tengei to run behind. Last year, he missed spring football due to surgery for a torn ACL in his knee.
He was cleared by the beginning of last season. But he feels stronger now more than ever. Barkus has committed to Nevada.