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Barnes, Lofton join the Trojan army (PHOTO GALLERY)
FORT WALTON BEACH — Luke Barnes and Joe Lofton were seventh graders when they made the pact to one day play college football together.
On Wednesday, the Fort Walton Beach seniors made good on their gentleman’s agreement as each signed letters of intent to play college football next fall at Troy University.
Click here to view a Photo Gallery of the signings at FWB.
“We said we were going to go to the same college, but we never thought it would ever happen,” Barnes said. “It’s pretty cool that it’s actually happening.”
Barnes and Lofton, each of whom was selected in the preseason to the Daily News’ Dandy Dozen, had verbally committed to Troy last July prior to the start of their senior seasons.
“It’s special because they’re getting to fulfill their dream of playing a sport they love,” Fort Walton Beach coach Mike Owens said. “They’ve worked extremely hard in the classroom, in the weight room, wherever.”
Barnes rewrote the school’s record book, forever etching his name in program lore after passing for 5,801 yards and 51 touchdowns to surpass former Viking and Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Danny Wuerffel as the school’s all-time leader in those categories.
Despite having his senior year cut short after suffering a torn ACL in a home loss to Niceville, Barnes managed to pass for 1,191 yards and 11 touchdowns in just five games this season.
“I’m just ready to get up there and play football again,” Barnes said. “Just get up there and go at it.”
Lofton, a defensive back, finished his senior season with 55 tackles, three pass break-ups and one interception that he returned for a 32-yard touchdown. All of Lofton’s production came while he was trying to recover from a tear in his MCL.
“He’s got a lot of ability,” Owens said. “I know the coaches up there are real excited to get him.”
After visiting the Troy campus for a summer camp, Lofton felt certain he wanted to become a Trojan.
“It means a lot,” Lofton said. “It started off as a dream and I never thought I would accomplish it. It’s like a dream coming to reality.”
