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Barber, the senior charged with orchestrating the Eagles' veer option offense, tore a muscle in the bottom of his right foot three weeks ago. The injury forced him to the sidelines for most of the last two games, and contributed to consecutive Douglass losses for the first time since 2002.
"We needed this. It's a good win to get back on track," Barber said. "It's do or die from here on out."
Barber completed 7 of 10 passes for 95 yard and gained 10 yards on six carries, though he had a 50-yard run negated by an illegal formation penalty. With the quarterback on the mend, senior tailback Emmanuel Paul took advantage of an increased workload with 19 carries, 87 yards and all three Douglass touchdowns.
Paul's first score came on a 5-yard run near the end of the first quarter. He scored again on the next Douglass possession with a 21-yard burst up the middle on the first play of the second quarter. He stuffed home his final score from 2 yards out, capping a 15-play, 93-yard fourth-quarter drive.
Douglass held Friendly (3-6) to just 78 yards of total offense through the first three quarters. Friendly sophomore D'Von Dorsey completed 9 of 21 passes for 55 yards and an interception. Friendly senior running back Joe Boyd found marginal success with limited chances, rushing for 41 yards on 10 carries.
"It's a win but we still have a lot of improving to do in all three parts of the game." Paul said.
Saturday's game was a must-win for Douglass (7-2), which began the season 6-0. Losses to Gwynn Park (9-0) and Forestville (4-4) followed as Barber squirmed on the sidelines.
"I'd like to have that Gwynn Park game back, but it's OK," Barber said. "I know we'll see them again."
Douglass will finish its regular season with a visit to Fairmont Heights Saturday. Friendly will finish 2009 with a trip to Central. Douglass entered the weekend holding the fourth and final playoff spot in the 2A South Region. If the Eagles finish they would visit Gwynn Park in the first round of the playoffs.
Teams (record) 1 2 3 4 Total
Friendly (3-6) 0 0 0 0 0
Douglass (7-2) 8 6 0 8 22
D – Paul 5 run (Smith run)
D – Paul 21 run (run failed)
D – Paul 2 run (Barber run)
RUSHING LEADERS -- D: Paul 19-87, Barber 6-10, Smith 8-44. F: Boyd 10-41.
PASSING LEADERS -- D: Barber 7-10-95-0-0. F: Dorsey 9-21-55-0-1
RECEIVING LEADERS -- D: Paul 2-12, McKenzie 2-12, Williams 2-51, Smith 1-20. F: Hall 3-13, Baltimore 5-38, Mathews 1- 4.