CHRIS FOSTER : Barnett Still Works His Magic

Jim Barnett is working the room. Hold on to your wallets.

As postgame parties go, this one’s a bit mild. A lot of glad-handing and back-patting for the coach who guided little Trabuco Hills to a 23-12 victory over Division I heavy Esperanza. Not a hint of surprise from the gang as Barnett schmoozes.

They know anything can happen when he’s around and usually does.

Friday was just another round of nothing-up-my-sleeve.

The Mustangs were stratosphere-bound, playing in the Southern Section Division I playoffs. Good ol’ Division VIII, which they dominated, was in the past. And Esperanza appeared to be their short-lived future. Then Barnett tapped his wand.

His offensive philosophy vanished, replaced by something archaic. Remember, man invented fire, the wheel and the tackle-to-tackle running game--not necessarily in that order.

But a little nip here, a little tuck there and, presto, the Mustangs’ big-city offense had a plowboy look to it. Uh, guys, be sure to scrape that stuff off your cleats before entering the locker room.

This from a school that boasts such alumni as John Barnes, David Lowery and Pat Barnes--all college quarterbacks. They thrived in Barnett’s put-it-up and light-it-up system.

But he shelved that pass-happy style to knock heads with a program that has a history of kicking sand in faces. It was insane and it worked. The Mustangs ground out 206 yards--60 more than their leading rusher on the season.

Then, with his usual ah-shucks demeanor, he beamed.

All season, Barnett has been a one-line act: Golly-gee, what are we doing in Division I? He sold it. People bought it.

Certainly, folks around Trabuco Hills must have snickered at all of it. They were not surprised he butted heads with the Aztecs and gave them a headache. He’s the only football coach the school has had and they’ve watched him juggle for a long time.

Why, he once even used the wishbone to start a section title game. The Mustangs had never used the offense before and haven’t since.

Yeah, the folks east of Lake Mission Viejo know Barnett’s shell game very well.

He brought his medicine show here in 1985, walking away from a Long Beach Poly team that returned Mark Carrier and Leonard Russell (consult your NFL directories for bios). And for what? Trabuco Hills, a place carved out of a high-priced patch of wilderness just beyond civilization.

Not only didn’t the school have a football stadium, it didn’t even have grass when he arrived. Barnett claims he was hoodwinked. He weaves a tale about a lunch, a Mickey and waking up near Saddleback Mountain.

Then he smiles and admits the challenge was appealing.

The Mustangs won three Division VIII titles. Challenge met.

Now, there are those who might roll their eyes at Barnett’s way. He isn’t one for fire and brimstone. Some of his players don’t even shave their faces, let alone their heads. They’re a loose bunch, but they have fun.

And, oh yeah, they win.

Barnett takes them home Friday, to show off. The Mustangs play at Long Beach Jordan, familiar territory for Barnett.

He attended Lakewood High School and Long Beach State. He coached at Lakewood and Long Beach Wilson. Then came the nine years at Poly--four as an assistant and five as a head coach.

People know him up that way. They were mesmerized by Barnett for years. They remember he went 46-11-4 at Poly. And they remember he walked away from that success.

They know he’s not to be trusted. They know to lock up their valuables.